“Rue du Tour de l’Étang” – a curious name, isn’t it? It’s a small street in Le Plessis-Robinson, a suburb of Paris. This little road isn’t just a street; it’s a reminder of a forgotten village that once existed in this place. Imagine a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush greenery and fields. This pond, a precious water source, played a crucial role in the village’s life. And through the centuries, the name of the pond, ‘The Pond of the Tour,’ persisted. The Tour in question was never a grand castle or a fortified tower but a humble farmhouse, a simple structure that stood as a marker of village life. The Tour was a constant presence, a familiar sight, until the village was absorbed by the growth of Paris.
Today, as we stand on Rue du Tour de l’Étang, the pond is gone. The village is gone. But the name, the echoes of a simpler time, remain. The quiet street reminds us of the quiet waters and the peaceful green fields that once made this place a home. This place, though now a part of the city, retains a touch of rural charm – a legacy of the village, a legacy of the pond, a legacy of the Tour.