This Rue Lacordaire stretches out before us, a seemingly ordinary street in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. But don’t be fooled by its unassuming appearance. Rue Lacordaire holds a story, a tribute to a man who captivated 19th-century France with his words: Henri Lacordaire. Before it bore his name, this street was known as “Rue Sainte-Marie”. However, in 1875, the city decided to honor Lacordaire, the Dominican preacher whose eloquence drew crowds to Notre-Dame. Imagine the echoes of Lacordaire’s powerful sermons lingering in the air as you stroll down this street. Picture the vibrant life of this street, once described as “a small, dirty, and dreary street, a poor street” by the writer Henri Calet after World War II. Today, it’s a blend of old and new, a testament to the evolving city. As you walk along Rue Lacordaire, let your imagination wander back to the time of its namesake. Let the spirit of his eloquence and the layers of history woven into the very fabric of this street stay with you.
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.