Rue du Clos des Noyers

Tucked away in the vibrant tapestry of Paris, the Rue du Clos des Noyers whispers tales of a bygone era. This seemingly unassuming street, nestled in the 5th arrondissement, holds a rich history. Rue du Clos des Noyers was born around 1215. It sprouted from an avenue of walnut trees that separated the Clos Bruneau from the Clos de Garlande. Imagine the rustling leaves and the scent of walnuts hanging heavy in the air. In 1348, Rue du Clos des Noyers was known as Rue Saint-Yves. This was due to a small chapel dedicated to Saint Yves. It stood proudly at the intersection with Rue Saint-Jacques. Over the centuries, Rue du Clos des Noyers witnessed the ebb and flow of Parisian life. It saw the city transform. The street itself even changed. A decree from 1680 ordered its widening. Then in 1825 a royal ordinance further broadened it to 10 meters, shaping the street we see today. Some buildings, like numbers 21, 23, 49, 51, 52, 54, and 56, aligned perfectly with this new plan. Others, like 47 and 46, required only minor adjustments to fit into the evolving urban landscape. The Rue du Clos des Noyers wasn’t immune to the strange occurrences that sometimes pepper history. In 1860, it became the unlikely stage for a haunting. A M. Lesage, an economist at the Palais de Justice, found himself plagued by unseen forces. Projectiles, seemingly launched from thin air, shattered his windows. They even injured him and his household. The police were called in, but they too were targeted by the invisible artillery. Unable to find an explanation, or even the source of these mysterious attacks, Lesage requested to break his lease. The haunting became a local sensation, the Rue du Clos des Noyers briefly holding the city’s attention. The writer Louis-Sébastien Mercier lived on Rue du Clos des Noyers before moving to Neuchâtel. And on a lighter note, this unassuming street boasts a prestigious native son. The renowned poet and playwright Alfred de Musset was born at number 33 Rue du Clos des Noyers in 1810. So as you stroll along the Rue du Clos des Noyers, remember its journey. From a quiet path lined with walnut trees to a bustling Parisian street, it echoes the ever-changing spirit of Paris.