“A secret passage in the city, can you imagine?”, a child whispered, clutching his father’s hand as they walked past the unassuming entrance. The Villa Saint-Michel. Tucked away in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, this charming street, Villa Saint-Michel, is more than just a passage. It whispers tales of a time when this corner of Paris was taking shape. The street comes alive with a rich history, its name a direct nod to its venerable neighbor – the Church of Saint-Michel des Batignolles. It was in 1856, as the city started embracing the grandeur of Haussmann’s renovations, that Villa Saint-Michel officially received its name. A quiet lane, it stretches for 158 meters, a mere 10 meters wide, between Avenue de Saint-Ouen and Rue Ganneron. Today, it stands as a secret passage through time, a reminder of the enduring spirit of old Paris.
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.