Nestled in the heart of Paris’ 9th arrondissement, Rue Henry Monnier whispers tales of artists, poets, and a touch of scandal. This street, once known as Rue Bréda, stretches a mere 210 meters, but its history is far grander than its size. Rue Henry Monnier wasn’t always so elegantly named. Originally christened Rue Bréda after a local landowner, it became a hub for a certain type of Parisian nightlife in the 19th century. The “Lorettes,” as they were called, added a colorful chapter to the street’s story. The name change in 1905 to honor the artist Henry Bonaventure Monnier, and its orthographic correction in 2003, reflects a shift towards respectability. Yet the echoes of the past still linger. At number 6 Rue Henry Monnier, or rather, where number 6 would have stood when it was part of Rue Bréda intersecting with Rue Neuve-Bréda (now Rue Clauzel), the poet Louise Colet held court. Her salon drew literary giants like Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, and Alexandre Dumas. Imagine the conversations, the debates, the clinking of glasses in Colet’s vibrant salon. Further down Rue Henry Monnier, at number 15, lived the talented painter Eva Gonzalès, later married to the printmaker Henri Guérard, who resided at number 2. The street also housed studios and workshops, nurturing the creative spirit. Norbert Gœneutte, a painter known for his Parisian scenes, set up shop at number 21. The same building later housed a dance studio run by Blanche d’Alessandri-Valdine. Number 29 held a secret, the lesbian bar “La Souris” run by Madame Palmyre. Here, figures like Colette and Toulouse-Lautrec found refuge and camaraderie. Even the buildings themselves hold stories. The neo-Renaissance structure at number 34, also fronting Rue Victor-Massé, is a listed historical monument, once home to the Orientalist painter Théodore Chassériau’s studio. Rue Henry Monnier is more than just a street; it’s a microcosm of Parisian life, a testament to creativity, scandal, and the enduring power of history.
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.