“A battle in Champigny? Here in Paris?” someone in the tour group might ask. Yes, while the Rue du Colonel Grancey might be peaceful today, it commemorates a soldier who met his end on a very different battlefield. This street, nestled near Place Denfert-Rochereau, takes us back to the Franco-Prussian War. Eugène Antonin Mandat de Grancey, a colonel in the Côte-d’Or mobile guard, fought bravely during the bloody siege of Paris. Sadly, he fell during the Battle of Champigny in December 1870. In 1875, Rue du Colonel Grancey was named in his honor, a testament to the sacrifice and bravery of those who defend their nation. Next time you stroll down this charming Parisian street, remember the legacy of Colonel Grancey and the echoes of history that resonate through the heart of Paris.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.