Nestled between Rue Fessart and Rue Botzaris, the Sentier des Alouettes whispers tales of old Belleville. This isn’t the Sentier des Alouettes in Feyzin, mind you, with its migrating birds and panoramic views. This is Paris’s own Sentier des Alouettes, a charming pathway etched into the 19th arrondissement. Imagine, in 1734, this path, known then as Chemin des Alouettes, snaked its way from the Buttes-Chaumont towards Rue de la Villette, a rustic lane in the then-separate village of Belleville. The very name, “Sentier des Alouettes,” evokes images of skylarks fluttering above the rolling hills, a testament to the area’s more rural past. By 1812, the Chemin des Alouettes was clearly marked on cadastral maps, a testament to its established presence. Years passed, and Belleville became part of Paris. The Sentier des Alouettes continued its quiet existence. In 1909, the path was extended to reach Rue Fessart, further cementing its place in the city’s fabric. A significant moment for the Sentier des Alouettes came in 1912. The old “Chemin des Alouettes” officially became “Rue des Alouettes.” An interesting twist happened simultaneously. A section of the original path, a right-angled bend, was renamed Rue Carducci. Today, the Sentier des Alouettes holds a modern gem, Collège Claude-Chappe-Ida-Grinspan, located at number 9. This school is named after Claude Chappe, the inventor of the telegraph, who conducted his early experiments nearby. It also honors Ida Grinspan, a Holocaust survivor who lived in the neighborhood. So, as you stroll along the Sentier des Alouettes, remember its journey, a path transformed from a country lane to a Parisian street, a place echoing with the whispers of larks and the echoes of history.
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.