Rue du Fort de l’Est

Gazing up at the imposing Fort de l’Est, can you imagine the echoes of history resonating within its walls? Rue du Fort de l’Est, right here at the foot of this military giant, offers a glimpse into a past filled with both conflict and resilience. The Rue du Fort de l’Est, an unassuming street, owes its name to the colossal fort looming beside it. Constructed between 1841 and 1843 as part of the Thiers fortifications, the Fort de l’Est stands as a testament to a bygone era of Parisian defense. Originally part of a chain of seventeen detached forts and a wall encircling Paris, its purpose was to protect the city from invaders. Ironically, advances in artillery technology quickly rendered these fortifications obsolete. Yet, the Fort de l’Est, and therefore Rue du Fort de l’Est, continued to play a role in various historical events. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, French troops stationed at the Fort de l’Est shelled the nearby town of Stains, occupied by Prussian forces. This act, damaging the town’s church and demolishing its chateau, demonstrates the fort’s strategic importance. In a strange twist, Prussian forces eventually occupied the very fort that had bombarded them. The fort’s chaplain during this period, Jules Bonhomme, penned a memoir detailing his experiences, bringing a personal touch to the grand narrative of the war. Years later, during the Algerian War, the fort housed a military tribunal. This tribunal judged and sentenced Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry, a member of the OAS who attempted to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. The Rue du Fort de l’Est, adjacent to such weighty events, silently witnessed the unfolding of history. The fort, once a symbol of military might, has also offered refuge to the vulnerable. Between 2002 and 2004, the Salvation Army operated a winter shelter within its walls, providing warmth and shelter to 18,000 people. More recently, the grounds of the fort served as a temporary housing site for Roma families displaced from a nearby shantytown. As we stand here on Rue du Fort de l’Est, look up at the Fort de l’Est. Remember, it stands not just as a historical relic but also as a silent observer, a participant in significant events that have shaped the destiny of Paris and France. From military tribunals to humanitarian aid, this imposing structure has borne witness to a wide spectrum of human experience.