Hidden between the Collège de France and Lycée Louis-le-Grand lies Rue du Cimetière Saint-Benoist. This unassuming Parisian street holds centuries of secrets. Its current form is a far cry from its medieval origins.
Rue du Cimetière Saint-Benoist wasn’t always a quiet impasse. For centuries it was known by other names. Around 1300 it was the Rue de l’Oseraie. Later it became the Rue Breneuse a name suggesting less than pristine conditions. Finally it was the Rue des Poirees. These names reflect the street’s evolution and the changing character of the neighborhood.
Its present name dates back to 1615. The street then served as the access route to the newly created Saint-Benoît cemetery. This cemetery which no longer exists once stood near the Sorbonne. The cemetery’s demolition made way for the expansion of the city. The remains of the ancient Roman baths of Lutetia were discovered beneath the street. This is a fascinating reminder of Paris’s layered history.
In 1814 a royal ordinance proposed a straight 7-meter wide street to replace both Rue du Cimetière Saint-Benoist and Rue Fromentel. This plan never materialized. The street was widened somewhat during renovations in 1820 and 1836. Further plans to expand the street were also abandoned in 1855.
The street is now part of the Collège de France. It is closed to the public. Only personnel and suppliers have access. This is another change in the street’s long and complex history. Today the narrow passage remains as a testament to the ongoing transformation of Paris. It serves as a quiet link between two prestigious institutions. It silently bears witness to the centuries of activity that have taken place nearby. The echoes of history still reside in the very stones.