A hidden gem awaits. Discover the Rue du Général Moulin. This unassuming street in the 14th arrondissement holds a surprising past.
The Rue du Général Moulin isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to Parisian history. It follows the path of an ancient road. The road connected Paris to the village of Chevreuse. This was long before the city expanded.
Imagine bustling carts. These carried goods along the old “chemin de Mon Rouge”. This name dates back to 1708. The road later became the Avenue de Châtillon. This was because it led to the town of Châtillon.
The street transformed dramatically in the 1860s. Construction of the Petite Ceinture railway sliced through it. A small stone bridge now spans the railway cutting. The bridge allows the Rue du Général Moulin to continue its flow.
In 1965 the street was renamed. It honored Jean Moulin. He was a prominent figure in the French Resistance. He lived nearby on the Rue des Plantes.
This street boasts remarkable buildings. Number 36 housed two prominent female artists. Dominique Rolin a novelist lived there. Germaine Richier a sculptor also lived there. They were friends and frequent visitors to each other’s homes. The sculptor Clarisse Lévy-Kinsbourg also had her home and studio at number 36. She lived there from 1926 to 1959.
Numbers 40-44 held a unique chapter. In the 1980s this building became Paris’s first artist-run squat. It was an amazing hub for artistic expression and creativity. The squatters fought for their space. They hoped to transform the building into artist studios. Their efforts made national and international headlines. The squat eventually ended. The building was demolished. The artists went on to find new collective studios.
The Rue du Général Moulin is more than just a street. It is a microcosm of Parisian history. It reveals stories of change and resilience. It reflects the artistic spirit that thrives in the city. Walk this street. Experience the layers of history beneath your feet. You’ll see its enduring legacy. It continues to pulse with life.