In the heart of Paris, a short stroll from the bustling Tuileries Garden, lies the unassuming Rue Gomboust. Don’t let its quiet demeanor fool you. This little street holds a fascinating story. Rue Gomboust, just a mere 60 meters long, packs centuries of history within its cobblestones. It was named after Jacques Gomboust, the royal engineer whose detailed map of Paris from 1652 remains a cartographic marvel. This very map, the “Plan de Gomboust,” was likely engraved near Rue Gomboust, in the vicinity of the Hôtel du Saint-Esprit. Imagine 17th-century Paris coming to life on paper, its streets and buildings meticulously rendered by Gomboust’s skilled hand, right here near this very spot. Originally, Rue Gomboust was part of a path leading from Paris to Argenteuil. It even bore a different name: “Cul-de-sac Péronelle,” after the area where it was established. By 1653, with the rise of the Jacobin market, it became known as “Cul-de-sac de la Corderie-Saint-Honoré.” Finally, in 1864, it received its current name, honoring the man whose map immortalized the city. So, as you stand on Rue Gomboust, remember that you’re walking not just on a street, but on a piece of Parisian history, intricately linked to the evolution of the city itself.
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.