Rue Rochebrune

Nestled between Avenue Parmentier and Rue Saint-Maur lies Rue Rochebrune. This seemingly ordinary street in the 11th arrondissement of Paris holds a story. Rue Rochebrune isn’t just a street. It’s a memorial. Named after Colonel François de Rochebrune, this street commemorates his sacrifice during the Franco-Prussian War. He was killed at the Battle of Buzenval in 1871. Originally, this very spot was part of the old Ménilmontant slaughterhouses. Imagine the bustling activity, the sights and smells of the livestock market. All of that vanished in 1867 when the slaughterhouses were demolished. From the remnants of this bustling marketplace, Rue Rochebrune emerged. Officially opened in 1875, the street was named to honor the fallen colonel. The street’s creation reflects Paris’s tendency to group streets named after officers killed in the 1870-1871 war. But the story doesn’t end there. Rue Rochebrune also bears the scars of another war. On March 8th, 1918, during World War I, a bomb from a German plane exploded at number 6. This event, a stark reminder of the conflict’s reach, is etched into the street’s history. Today, as you walk along Rue Rochebrune, remember the colonel whose name it bears. Remember the lives lost and the resilience of a city rebuilding. This street is more than just a pathway. It’s a living testament to history, a place where the echoes of the past meet the vibrancy of the present.