“General Ladreit de Lacharrière, a name echoing through time,” the tour guide began, gesturing towards Rue du Général de Lacharrière. “Here in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, this street stretches 366 meters, a modest length compared to the grand boulevards, but brimming with history.” Rue du Général de Lacharrière isn’t just a street; it’s a memorial. Named after Jules Marie Ladreit de Lacharrière, a brigadier general who fell during the Franco-Prussian War at the Battle of Champigny in 1870. The street’s creation intertwines with the rebuilding of the Saint-Ambroise church. The original church was demolished to make way for Boulevard Voltaire. During the church’s reconstruction, the need for a new street arose, initially called Rue Saint-Irénée. It connected the new square with Avenue Parmentier, replacing a former cul-de-sac. Following the demolition of the Ménilmontant slaughterhouses in 1867, the street was extended to Rue Saint-Maur. This extension was officially named Rue Lacharrière. Later, Rue Saint-Irénée was also renamed Rue Lacharrière, consolidating the general’s memory into the Parisian landscape. Today, Rue du Général de Lacharrière stands as a quiet testament to a tumultuous period in Parisian history, a reminder of the sacrifices made in defense of the city.
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.