“A street named after a composer?” I hear you say. Rue Georges Bizet, a charming little street in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, is indeed named after the famous French musician. The street is quite short – only 280 meters long – and was once known as “Ruelle des Tourniquets” or “Ruelle des Blanchisseuses” during the 17th century. This street was used by washerwomen who would go down to the Seine to wash clothes. It wasn’t always a street though. Rue Georges Bizet is in fact a vestige of a street that once went all the way down to the Seine until it was absorbed and widened in the 19th century. Today, it’s a vibrant mix of residential buildings, a Greek cathedral, and a few embassies. The street has a special place in history as the residence of the very renowned composer Georges Bizet. His most famous opera, Carmen, is considered a masterpiece. And you know what? It was the controversial subject of the opera, Carmen, that actually gave the street a bit of a bad reputation back then. It was seen as a dangerous, wild place where women were promiscuous and men were free to go about their business without much consideration. So, if the street’s name is familiar, don’t take it as meaning it’s a place to find glamorous women. Instead, take a stroll here for the charm and the history. You might just catch a glimpse of the past.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to