Ever wonder how a path in Paris got its unique name? The Sentier des Blancs Manteaux has a history woven with monks. It is also woven with garments of white. Let’s walk this path together.
The story of Sentier des Blancs Manteaux begins in the 13th century. The Servites of Sainte-Marie, a mendicant order, arrived in Paris. They came in 1258. King Saint Louis permitted them to settle here. These monks wore white cloaks. The white symbolized the Virgin Mary’s purity. Thus, they became known as the Blancs-Manteaux or White Mantles.
The monks established a convent. It sat next to the wall of Philippe-Auguste. This wall is visible on old maps of Paris. The king supported their establishment. He bought them land near the old Temple gate. This act highlights the close relationship between the monarchy and religious orders.
However, this order’s time was short-lived. In 1274, the Second Council of Lyon dissolved twenty-two religious groups. The Servites of Sainte-Marie was one. But the name “Blancs-Manteaux” persisted. It remained attached to this area.
In 1298, the monastery was given to the Guillemites. They were an order founded by Guillaume de Malavalle. Though the Guillemites wore black habits, the area kept its name. The name “Blancs-Manteaux” continued to echo through the streets. A rue des Guillemites was named after them. This street ran perpendicular to the rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
The Guillemites were authorized to create a gate. This was in 1334. It allowed access to their convent. The church was consecrated in 1397. King Charles VI attended. At this time, the church ran parallel to the rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
The story takes another turn in 1618. The convent was transferred to the Benedictines of Saint-Maur. This congregation was known for historical scholarship. The Blancs-Manteaux became an important center for their studies. From 1685 to 1690, the convent was rebuilt. The church’s layout changed. It became perpendicular to the rue des Blancs-Manteaux.
The French Revolution brought upheaval. In 1790, the Maurist congregation was dissolved. The convent and church were sold. The city of Paris repurchased the church in 1801. It was then returned to worship.
The current facade has its own tale. Originally, it belonged to the church of Saint-Eloi des Barnabites. This stood on the Île de la Cité. Haussmann’s urban works demolished the church in 1863. Architect Baltard reassembled the facade. He moved it to the Blancs-Manteaux. This facade dated back to 1703.
In 1802, the rue des Guillemites was created. This ran along the east side of the church. This required demolishing parts of the convent buildings. The remaining eastern wing was destroyed in 1929. A new building replaced it. In 1944, this building was also destroyed. A square was created. It is now the Square Victor Langlois. Today, only the church presbytery remains. The fountain in the square dates to 1705. It originally stood on the rue des Francs-Bourgeois. It stood in front of the convent’s east wing.
Today, as you stroll along the Sentier des Blancs Manteaux, remember its layered past. Monks in white, scholarly Benedictines, and a facade rescued from demolition all contribute to this area’s unique charm. The Sentier des Blancs Manteaux is more than just a street. It’s a living testament to Paris’s rich and complex history.