“Who was Thomas Francine?” someone asks. Rue Thomas Francine is named after him. Let’s journey into the history of this Parisian street.
Rue Thomas Francine resides in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. Specifically, it’s in the Parc de Montsouris area. This street isn’t very long. It measures only 75 meters in length and is five meters wide. Rue Thomas Francine begins at 6, avenue de la Sibelle. It ends at 21, rue de l’Empereur-Valentinien.
But who was the man behind the street name? Thomas Francine lived from 1571 to 1651. Born Tommaso Francini in Florence, he became an important figure in Paris. He served as the Intendant General of Waters and Fountains. His responsibilities covered Paris, Saint-Germain, and Fontainebleau. He served under the reigns of Henri IV, Marie de Medicis, and Louis XIII.
Francine was originally a fontainier. He spearheaded the creation of the Aqueduc Medicis. This aqueduct still crosses the ZAC Alesia-Montsouris area. Marie de Medicis commissioned it. He was more than just a hydraulic engineer. Francine was also a landscape architect. He was a precursor to a dynasty of Francines. The famous Medici Fountain in the Jardin du Luxembourg is attributed to him.
Rue Thomas Francine was created as part of the ZAC Alesia-Montsouris development. Initially, it was known as “voie BL/14”. The street received its official name through a municipal decree in 2001.
At the end of Rue Thomas Francine, you’ll find the “garden of the aqueduct.” It stretches along the SNCF embankment. This is a community garden space. Locals can cultivate small plots and engage in ecological gardening.
The association “Les Jardiniers de l’aqueduc” manages this shared garden. It was founded in 2004. They signed an agreement with the City of Paris. In 2011, the garden earned the “ecological green space” label. The association aims to boost social life. It also wants to showcase the diversity of cultures in the neighborhood. The shared garden serves as a learning lab. Here, people learn about biodiversity and eco-citizenship. Young and old participate in educational workshops.
Adjacent to Rue Thomas Francine lies the Jardin Marie-Therese-Auffray. It was inaugurated in 2019. The occasion marked the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris.
So, as we stand on Rue Thomas Francine remember Tommaso Francini. He was the Florentine who brought water and beauty to Paris. His legacy flows through the city’s fountains and gardens. The street that carries his name offers a glimpse into that history. It reminds us of the importance of green spaces and community.