Isn’t it intriguing that a simple footway can hold so much history? We are standing at the Sentier du Clos des Chevillons. It is located in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
The Sentier du Clos des Chevillons is a footway. It is located in the commune of Fontenay-aux-Roses. Fontenay-aux-Roses is in the Hauts-de-Seine department. This is in the Île-de-France region. The Île-de-France is in Metropolitan France.
The history of the Sentier du Clos des Chevillons may be intertwined with the broader history of the Sentier district in Paris. The Sentier started with city walls during the Hundred Years War. A hamlet appeared in the 15th century. It was near the gate of Saint-Denis.
The area was known for a hill made of garbage. In medieval times people threw waste against the old wall. This created a 10-meter-high hill. A windmill was built on top.
The hamlet was called Villeneuve sur Gravois. This means “the New City on Gravel”. Houses were surrounded by fields and vineyards. Trails led to the hill. “Sentier” is French for “trail”. This may have given the area its name. Another theory suggests the name comes from walks around the city walls.
In 1591 the hill was destroyed. Paris rebelled against King Henri IV. People feared he would use the hill for canons.
In 1628 the church Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle was built. It was restored in the early 19th century.
In the 17th century the Sentier became the main Court of Miracles in Paris. This counter-society had 30,000 people. They had a king called the Grand Coësre. They also had their own laws, taxes, and slang.
They defied authorities by refusing to pay taxes. They begged and stole. Beggars pretended to be sick to gain charity. Once back in their slum they stopped pretending. This gave the area the name “Court of Miracles”.
King Louis XIV sent La Reynie to destroy this place. In 1667 he besieged it. He warned the beggars that the last 12 taken would be hanged. This caused a panic and they ran away.
Parisians called the destruction “good news” or “bonne nouvelle”. This gave the nearby metro station its name.
Since the 17th century craftsmen settled in the area. In the 19th century ready-to-wear manufacturers replaced them. This grew in the 20th century. It peaked in the 1980s.
This attracted immigrants including Jews, Turks, Armenians, and Asians. Today the Chinese community is growing in the clothing district. The district has also diversified with data centers and start-ups. It’s nicknamed “Silicone Sentier”.
Today the Sentier du Clos des Chevillons stands as a reminder. It connects us to the rich history of Fontenay-aux-Roses. It also connects us to the broader Parisian region. It serves as a silent witness. It shows the passage of time and the evolution of communities.