Here, visible between 224 and 226 Rue de Vaugirard, lies a hidden gem Ruelle du Soleil d’Or. This private alleyway in Paris’s 15th arrondissement holds stories of revolution and conspiracy. Though not accessible, its history is etched in the very stones around us.
The Ruelle du Soleil d’Or owes its name to a former sign. This sign belonged to the Auberge du Soleil d’Or, or the Golden Sun Inn. In the late summer of 1796, this inn became a hub. It was here that the conspiracy of the Grenelle camp was plotted.
Once upon a time, this alleyway was also known as Ruelle Cadot. But the name Ruelle du Soleil d’Or stuck. It reminds us of the inn and its role in French history.
Let’s talk about the Auberge du Soleil d’Or, now at 226 Rue de Vaugirard. It wasn’t always an inn. Initially, it was built as a country house for a wealthy Parisian in the early 18th century. Later, it transformed into the Auberge du Soleil d’Or. The name came from a sun etched above the door. This sun marked the entrance to the inner courtyard.
The inn played a role in not one, but two conspiracies during the French Revolution. The first happened on March 28, 1791. Royalists gathered at the inn. They planned to attack members of the Jacobin Club. This plot was named the “Soleil d’Or Plot”. It failed.
The second conspiracy took place in 1796. Supporters of Gracchus Babeuf gathered here. This event marked the final act of the Conspiracy of Equals. On 23 Fructidor, Year IV, around 800 men met in the courtyard. They intended to infiltrate the troops at the Grenelle camp. The goal was to sway the soldiers and overthrow the Directoire. However, the gathering was discovered. 132 men were arrested. 33 of them were executed.
Since 2005, the Auberge du Soleil d’Or has housed shops. It also contains social and private housing. A plaque stands in front of the building. It tells the story of this place.
Today, as we stand before the Ruelle du Soleil d’Or, we remember its past. This small alleyway was a stage for grand events. Royalist plots and revolutionary conspiracies unfolded here. The Ruelle du Soleil d’Or is a reminder that even hidden corners can hold significant history. It connects us to the dramatic events of the French Revolution.