Rue Trousseau

Tucked away in the 11th arrondissement, Rue Trousseau has a story to tell. It’s more than just a street. It’s a thread woven into the vibrant tapestry of Parisian life. Rue Trousseau wasn’t always named after the renowned physician Armand Trousseau. It began as a humble path in the late 16th century. After the construction of the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel in 1625, which later became the Sainte-Marguerite Church, the path transformed. It was then known as “rue Sainte-Marguerite” or sometimes “Sainte-Marguerite-Saint-Antoine” to distinguish it from another Sainte-Marguerite street. In the 18th century, Rue Sainte-Marguerite, as Rue Trousseau was then called, witnessed a moment of intense popular fervor. In 1752, a statue of the Virgin Mary, positioned at the corner of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, reportedly turned its head during a Feast of Corpus Christi procession. This event sparked widespread excitement and devotion. Now, imagine Rue Sainte-Marguerite in the 19th century. This bustling street was home to artisans, laborers, and a multitude of small businesses. It was considered one of the dirtiest streets in Paris. This is quite a contrast to the Rue Trousseau we see today. In 1884, Rue Sainte-Marguerite faced a serious challenge. It was here that the first cases of cholera were reported, marking a difficult period for the community. The street also played a role in the political upheavals of the time. During Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte’s coup d’état in 1851, workers from Rue Sainte-Marguerite revolted and erected a barricade on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. It was on this barricade that the deputy Baudin was killed. The street finally received its current name, Rue Trousseau, in 1894. The renaming honored Armand Trousseau, a significant figure in French medicine and politics whose hospital was nearby. At the turn of the 20th century, Rue Trousseau underwent a transformation. Many dilapidated houses were demolished and replaced with Haussmann-style buildings. The floods of 1910 also impacted Rue Trousseau, requiring the use of footbridges for residents. Today at 22 Rue Trousseau, stands a building known as “L’immeuble des Tournesols” (The Building of Sunflowers). While often attributed to architect Louis Adrien Blanc, records reveal a more complex story. A building permit from 1902 does link Blanc to the site. However, a second permit from 1905 names Émile Thomas as the architect. This suggests a transfer of ownership and plans between the initial owner, Leclaire, and a subsequent owner, Dissard. The building’s striking façade, especially the curved ironwork balconies, is adorned with bas-reliefs of sunflowers, irises, thistles, lizards, dragonflies, and other small creatures. Rue Trousseau also houses more modern establishments like Aju, a unique shop and coffee house at number 22. This establishment offers a blend of Asian culture, from fashion and cosmetics to stationery and bubble tea. This spot on Rue Trousseau adds another layer to the street’s vibrant and evolving history. So next time you stroll down Rue Trousseau, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. From a humble path to a cholera-stricken street and a site of revolution, Rue Trousseau carries the echoes of Paris’s vibrant past.