Slipping through time, imagine Paris in 1863. The city is expanding, swallowing the surrounding villages. One such village is Saint-Mandé. Its quiet, rural paths are suddenly Parisian streets. Today, we stand before one such transformed path: Sentier Briens. This unassuming lane, tucked away in the 12th arrondissement, whispers tales of a bygone era. Sentier Briens is a survivor. It’s one of only eight paths in Paris that still bear the name “sentier.” Five of these “sentiers” are right here in the 12th arrondissement, mostly in the Bel-Air quarter. Why here? Because this area was once part of Saint-Mandé. These “sentiers” are the village’s original country lanes. When Saint-Mandé was absorbed into Paris, these narrow passageways retained their original designation. Sentier Briens is a short lane. It measures only 15 meters long and a mere 4 meters wide. It begins at 54, Boulevard de Picpus and ends at 39, Rue Sibuet. Nearby, you’ll find the Rothschild Hospital and the tranquil Square Courteline. Sentier Briens is a hidden gem, a tangible link to Paris’s rural past. While the origin of the name “Briens” remains a mystery, the path itself speaks volumes. It reminds us that even in a bustling metropolis like Paris, echoes of the past can still be found. These echoes resonate in quiet corners, on unassuming paths like Sentier Briens.
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.