Ferdinand started his apprenticeship in a Sentier business. Welcome to the Sentier des Marais. It is a place with a rich history. Today we will explore the story of this unique area in Paris.
The Sentier area is in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement. It does not have an administrative existence. But it covers the northern half of the Mail and Bonne-Nouvelle districts. The Sentier gets its name from the Rue du Sentier. This is a typical street in the area.
In the 19th century the Sentier was a diverse area. Small business owners worked alongside craftsmen. Journalists mingled with those who had immigrated from all over. Already at that time, textile activity began to develop significantly. Honoré de Balzac mentions the Sentier in his work Le Bal de Sceaux. Émilie de Fontaine discovers Maximilien de Longueville selling fabric there. Louis-Ferdinand Céline also references the Sentier in Death on Credit.
The Sentier was also home to the written press. Balzac highlights this in La Rabouilleuse. Philippe Bridau submits his writing before dining at Rocher de Cancale.
After World War II textile activities increased in the Sentier. It was centrally located. The area attracted immigrant populations seeking work. They provided cheap labor. Some accepted illegal working conditions. By the 1980s the Sentier reached its peak in textile activity. Many manufacturers used a short circuit. They moved quickly from producer to consumer. From workshop to boutique.
The Sentier became a Jewish quarter with the textile industry. It joined Le Marais and Rue des Rosiers. This connection is depicted in Thomas Gilou’s La Vérité si je mens! trilogy. The films came out in 1997, 2001, and 2012.
But the textile industry declined at the end of the 20th century. Gentrification of central Paris played a role. So did Asian textile imports. Wholesalers moved to the suburbs like Aubervilliers.
The Sentier has transformed into Silicon Sentier. It is near the former stock exchange and financial companies. Telecommunications operators installed fiber optic networks. Specialized companies opened data centers. These served phone operators and internet providers. Telehouse-1 opened in 1996. It was the first of its kind in France.
During the internet boom many start-ups moved to the Sentier. Rents were initially affordable. But prices rose as space became scarce. Financial scandals and the dot-com bubble led to company closures.
Since 2010 the Sentier has seen a revival. Start-ups have moved in. They are drawn to its central location and large buildings. Some well-known companies include Doctolib and Blablacar. Restaurants and hotels have also boosted the area. Hélène Darroze opened Joia. Jason Gouzy earned a Michelin star at Pantagruel. The Hoxton hotel group opened a hotel on Rue du Sentier.
The Sentier’s story is one of constant change. From textiles to technology. It remains a vibrant part of Paris. A blend of history and modernity. A place where the past informs the future. This is the Sentier des Marais. Thank you for joining us on this journey through time.