You might be surprised to learn that Rue Ernest Legouve, a quiet street tucked away in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, once saw a spectacular yet devastating event. Named after Ernest Legouve, a well-known French playwright and poet, this street was formed around 1820 and remained private until 1877. While it’s a charming street today, on March 23, 1918, during World War I, a shell fired by the infamous German artillery piece ‘Big Bertha’ exploded at number 2 on Rue Ernest Legouve, a terrifying reminder of the war’s presence in the heart of Paris. The explosion, however, did not destroy the street or its quiet charm. It remains today a peaceful respite from the hustle of Parisian life and a reminder of a past filled with incredible destruction and resilience.
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.