This half-circle street Rue Édouard Laferrière whispers secrets of Parisian history. It’s a hidden gem tucked away in the 9th arrondissement.
Named after General Louis Marie Levesque de Laferrière a prominent figure of the French Revolution and Empire. The street’s existence wasn’t always official. Initially opened in 1832 without permits it was called Passage Laferrière. A prefectural order nearly closed it down. Yet it persevered becoming a public passage under specific conditions. It officially joined Paris’s public roadways much later in 1880. Finally in 1882 it received its current name Rue Laferrière.
Beyond the official records Rue Laferrière holds intriguing stories. Number 2 bis houses the Orthodox Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. Established in 1936 and renovated in 1971 it’s a vibrant part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of France. Number 3 was once a notorious brothel Chez Marthe. Number 12 boasts a more literary past. It was the birthplace of the famed poet Stéphane Mallarmé. Other buildings held similar establishments. Number 16 was another brothel Chez Marie-Louise. Number 17 hosted Entre-Nous a lesbian bar run by Jane Stick from 1955 to 1964.
Imagine the lives that unfolded within these walls. The hushed prayers within the church the laughter and secrets of the brothels the clandestine meetings at the bar. Rue Édouard Laferrière is more than just a street. It’s a living tapestry woven from the threads of history scandal and art. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris itself a place where the past intertwines with the present in unexpected and fascinating ways. The street’s quiet charm offers a glimpse into a bygone era a reminder that even the smallest streets can hold the most captivating stories.