Rue du Faubourg du Temple

Circling the heart of Paris, the Rue du Faubourg du Temple whispers tales of centuries past. This ancient Parisian street, stretching from Place de la République to Boulevard de la Villette, has borne witness to the city’s ever-expanding boundaries. Rue du Faubourg du Temple takes its name from the Temple Gate, part of Charles V’s wall built between 1356 and 1383. This wall once marked the city limits, separating the Rue du Temple within the walls from its extension, the Rue du Faubourg du Temple, outside. The term “Faubourg” designates a street leading out of the city, a relic of Paris’s history of outward growth. In 1860, many suburbs were absorbed into Paris. Rue du Faubourg du Temple, once outside, became part of the city, but kept its evocative name. The street begins its journey at Place de la République and climbs towards the Belleville district. Belleville, once a hub of nightlife, thrived outside the city walls, offering taverns and inexpensive liquor thanks to a more lenient tax system. The echoes of revelry still linger in the air. Rue du Faubourg du Temple holds hidden gems. The site of the Amphithéâtre Anglais, France’s first purpose-built circus, lies behind the Théâtre le Temple. Opened in 1782 by Philip Astley, it was a wooden, round theater illuminated by 2,000 candles, hosting equestrian performances, juggling acts, and other spectacles. Further along, the Palais des Glaces, or Ice Palace, a theater founded in 1876, still stands proudly. And then there’s La Java, a dance club today, but once a stage for legends like Django Reinhardt, Jean Gabin, Fréhel, Maurice Chevalier, and Édith Piaf. Their melodies may be gone, but their presence can still be felt. The Rue du Faubourg du Temple, a symphony of sounds and sights, continues to tell its vibrant story.