Paris History of our Streets

Paris History of our Streets Revealing insightful historical details and locations of Paris with a cheeky modern twist. See websit

Marie Antoinette’s Corset Palais Galleria “Fashion in the 18th Century”“No pain, no gain” wasn’t invented by fitness coa...
04/06/2026

Marie Antoinette’s Corset
Palais Galleria “Fashion in the 18th Century”

“No pain, no gain” wasn’t invented by fitness coaches—it was perfected by 18th-century fashion.

On display at Palais Galliera is a corset attributed to Marie Antoinette, the woman who made France’s court the equivalent of a luxury fashion runway.

This beautiful (faded) blue silk corset dates from the 1780s and offers a glimpse into royal life before elastic waistbands, sports bras, and the revolutionary concept of comfort.

Remarkably, it survived more than 200 years and was discovered hidden inside the account book of one of the Queen’s fashion merchants. Historians opened a ledger and essentially found the 18th-century equivalent of a forgotten designer item in storage.

Standing in front of it, visitors inevitably ask the same questions:

• How was it put on?
• How was it taken off?
• How was breathing negotiated?
• Are the armpits smelly?

Yet despite the obvious challenges, Marie Antoinette became one of history’s most influential fashion icons. Trends come and go, but apparently corsets—and conversations about them—are forever.

24/05/2026

Who would have thought something so meaningless could unite so many people ? I don’t get it, but I don’t mind it either!

#67

TIME Magazine 1950’s Just a bunch of wholesome kids living in the moment and enjoying the Sunday Children’s Matinee at t...
16/05/2026

TIME Magazine 1950’s

Just a bunch of wholesome kids living in the moment and enjoying the Sunday Children’s Matinee at the Moulin Rouge - Not a tablet in sight!

A forgotten chapter of Paris history:

Before the Moulin Rouge became the world capital of belle époque glitz and glamour, the can-can, champagne, and tourists paying €18 for a tiny glass of wine… it once hosted shows dedicated to children.

While this is no longer the case, kids 6 and up are welcome to any of the regular scheduled shows. If you’ve never been you might be thinking this is hilariously unsuitable because yes, there are b00bies- but the show is definitely more on the glamorous and theatrical side than what you are imagining.

The city has always been committed to culture… even starting young!

📷 Allen Grant for Time Magazine

Apparently the 2026 Met Gala was just a very glamorous field trip to French art history… and honestly, I’m not mad about...
05/05/2026

Apparently the 2026 Met Gala was just a very glamorous field trip to French art history… and honestly, I’m not mad about it.

First up, Hailey Bieber dipped herself into Yves Klein blue like she accidentally fell into a very expensive paint bucket and decided to commit to the bit with a side dish of golden bo***es. Respect.

Ben Platt looked like he got dressed inside a pointillism filter, giving full Georges Seurat vibes — if you stood far enough away, the outfit probably assembled itself.

Rachel Zegler arrived serving full historical drama, basically cosplaying The Ex*****on of Lady Jane Grey — I don’t know whether to compliment the look or call for emotional support. I just saw this masterpiece in London last week and it low key destroyed me.

And of course, the Louvre girlies showed UP:
- Kylie Jenner as the Venus de Milo (arms sold separately)
- Kendall Jenner as the Winged Victory of Samothrace

At this point, I’m convinced the Met Gala dress code was:
“Be French, be art, or be hanging in the Louvre by midnight.”

As much as IDGAF about fashion hype, 10/10, would totally consider attending if they let me come dressed as a baguette still life.

‘23 July 1809” Rue Berbier du Metz Paris 75013I can’t take credit for discovering this historically insignificant, yet t...
16/04/2026

‘23 July 1809”
Rue Berbier du Metz Paris 75013

I can’t take credit for discovering this historically insignificant, yet thoroughly remarkable wall doodle but I recalled reading about it while strolling along this street and thought I’d have a look for it.

The Rue Berbier du Metz (formally known as the Ruelle des Gobelins) is rather long and after a minute or two of roaming along the weather-beaten wall I became discouraged.

WHEN SUDDENLY... I SAW A 9!! I found it!

A forgotten 217 year old nameless scratch in time and just another one of the infinite reasons why I love Paris.

These historic breadcrumbs giving us brief glimpses into trails of the past..

To give you some reference, the same year this was etch-a-sketched -
➡️ Abraham Lincoln and Edgar Allen Poe were born
➡️ Meriwether Lewis and Thomas Paine died
➡️ Franz I of Austria declared war on France
➡️ Robert Fulton patented the steamboat
➡️ Last time the Chicago Bears won the Superbowl
➡️ Napoléon called it quits with Josephine

Why it was chiseled here and by whom- we may never know. Could it be fake?

Possibly, but let this dreamer dream.

Rue Berbier du Metz Paris 75013This area of Paris is one of my favorites because there is loads of history here that is ...
15/04/2026

Rue Berbier du Metz Paris 75013

This area of Paris is one of my favorites because there is loads of history here that is often overlooked by the tourists who don’t venture past the 5th arrondissement.
The neighborhood is known as Les Gobelins and is named after the royal tapestry factory that has existed here since the early 17th century when ornate rugs decorated walls as well as floors.

This particular street behind the La Manufacture des Gobelins today is known as Rue Berbier du Metz, named after the guy formerly in charge of the Mobilier Nationale which also borders the street.

The Mobilier Nationale is Historical France’s equivalent of your grandpa’s shed, where you toss furniture you can’t bear to part with in the hopes that someday you’ll reupholster Aunt Fanny’s velvet sofa but let’s be honest probably not.

Prior to 1935, this street was the ruelle des Gobelins (not to be confused with the nearby rue or avenue des Gobelins) and it dates back to the 16th century. It’s wild to compare it on various maps and see how it hasn’t changed shape through the centuries.

When I first moved to Paris 13 years ago, I lived nearby and was intrigued to learn this street was one of the stinkiest in Paris since it once had a river flowing down the middle of it that was more septic tank than quaint canal.
The waters of the Bievre attracted unsavory blue collar trades like fabric dyers/ tanners (if you aren’t familiar with how leather is made, look it up 💩) who flourished in this area.
Obviously this river STANK and was a cesspool for all kinds of nasty s**z so they basically kicked some dirt over it in 1912 and hid it away beneath the cobblestone lining the street today.

I always wondered how a river could just be buried and I discovered a few old photos that show the process. I highlighted the Saint Louis Chapel (built in 1723 for the Gobelins Factory, a classified historic monument) for reference.

Today the Bievre is mostly out of sight, out of mind, SURE, but there is a local association that wants to restore the mighty Bievre to its old glory, minus the odors and mutant pizza eating turtles that undoubtedly currently inhabit it.

Place de l’Estrapade Paris 75005Have you heard of the new series “Emily in Paris With a View of Sinister Public Square”?...
12/04/2026

Place de l’Estrapade
Paris 75005

Have you heard of the new series “Emily in Paris With a View of Sinister Public Square”?

Probably not, because the Netflix smash hit left out the dark historic background of the common area directly in front of her dreamy Paris apartment.

Nestled in the cleavage between the rue des Fossés Saint Jacques and rue Lhomond, the Place de l’Estrapade was once the backyard of Phillippe Auguste’s fortified wall that encircled medieval Paris.

A perfect place to read books amongst the manicured plots of flowers, relax on a bench in front of the fountain, or use as a backdrop for Emily’s quaint Paris Apartment; this little park is often overlooked when compared to the famous neighboring Jardin du Luxembourg. But despite the tranquility that can be easily found there, this nugget of land has a malevolent past…

Take a look at the close up of Place de l’Estrapade from the 1630 Paris map made by Jean Sauvé. See that flagpole thingy?

Named after the torture device known as the estrapade (or st*****do), this is the site where predominately military deserters were punished for abandoning their posts. There’s enough negativity in the word today so I’ll avoid explaining how this cruel practice was done and leave it to your imagination.

JUST KIDDING
What do you think this is, another Perfectly Paris Instagram page?

Anyways, the criminal (or victim depending on where your sympathies lie you big fat Treasonous Traitor) would have his arms tied tightly behind his back with a rope, which was then attached to a pulley high off the ground. The person would be hoisted up by this rope, dangled, then abruptly dropped to a distance NOT QUITE touching the ground.

Kinda like Medieval Sky Diving Gone Wrong. Hey, no ever said torture had to be sophisticated to be effective!
However, the goal was simply to reinforce the consequences of abandoning a military post by breaking a few limbs and causing lifelong disfigurement and pain rather than executing. (see photo)

Place de l’Estrapade: Just another charming historic Parisian landmark haunted by sinister ghosts of a cruel and ominous past!

Passage du Grand Cerf Paris 75002 Ever walked through Passage du Grand Cerf and thought, “Wow, this place is too aesthe...
10/04/2026

Passage du Grand Cerf
Paris 75002

Ever walked through Passage du Grand Cerf and thought, “Wow, this place is too aesthetic to be accidental”? Well, buckle up, because this Parisian gem has been serving vibes since 1825.

Back in the day, this covered passage was basically the 19th-century version of a shopping mall—except instead of Zara and Sephora, you had fancy craftsmen, curious Parisians, and probably at least one guy dramatically judging hats.

Its name literally means “Passage of the Great Deer,” which raises important historical questions like:
- Was there a giant deer?
- Did it shop here?
- Was it more fashionable than us? (Probably.)

At 12 meters high, it’s one of the tallest covered passages in Paris—because even in the 1800s, Parisians understood the importance of good lighting for dramatic entrances.

Over the years, it survived changing trends, renovations, and the tragic disappearance of questionable 19th-century fashion choices. Today, it’s a dreamy mix of boutiques, design studios, and my favorite knitting shop

So next time you stroll through, remember: you’re not just walking through a pretty corridor—you’re strutting through 200 years of Parisian history… possibly under the spiritual supervision of a very stylish
📸 Eugene Atget

The Crown of Thorns — Notre-Dame de Paris (75004)Religion is wild. Virgin births, water into wine, walking on water… bas...
06/04/2026

The Crown of Thorns — Notre-Dame de Paris (75004)

Religion is wild. Virgin births, water into wine, walking on water… basically Harry Potter with higher stakes—miracles, war, and a whole lot of history.

Last Friday, I stood in a biblical line outside Notre-Dame, waiting for something I didn’t even know you could see in real life: the Crown of Thorns.
Yes—that one. From Jesus.

Every first Friday of the month (and Fridays during Lent), there’s a ceremony where you can actually get close enough to venerate it. Kiss it, touch it… or, in my case, panic slightly.

So how did it end up in Paris?
• First recorded mention: 409 AD in Jerusalem
• Moved to Constantinople (~1063)
• Bought by King Louis IX of France in 1238
• Eventually brought to Paris and housed at Sainte-Chapelle
• Returned to Notre-Dame in 1801, where it remains today

Aside from a mysterious gap early on, the timeline is surprisingly solid. The actual thorns? Scattered worldwide as relics—over 200 of them.

Inside the cathedral, the crown was carried down the aisle on a red cushion, encased in gold and glass, guarded by the most serious-looking clergy imaginable. When it was my turn, I had a moment:

Do I kiss it? Pray? Pretend I know what I’m doing?

I went with a quick forehead touch and what was probably a very incorrect sign of the cross.

And just like that—it was over.

Did I touch something that touched Jesus?
No idea.

But I walked out of Notre-Dame feeling… weirdly holy.

So… who is the current King of France?Technically: nobody.But also… three people would like a word.If France suddenly wo...
15/03/2026

So… who is the current King of France?
Technically: nobody.
But also… three people would like a word.

If France suddenly woke up tomorrow and decided, “You know what? Let’s bring the monarchy back,” things could get awkward very quickly — because there are three different men who could claim the throne.

👑 The Legitimist claim:
This goes to Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, a descendant of Louis XIV through the Spanish branch of the Bourbons. His supporters would call him “Louis XX.”

👑 The Orléanist claim:
Supporters of the constitutional monarchy tradition back Jean d’Orléans, descended from Louis-Philippe I, the “Citizen King” who ruled from 1830 to 1848. His fans would crown him “Jean IV.”

👑 The Bonapartist claim:
And of course the empire fans support Jean-Christophe Napoléon, a descendant of Napoléon Bonaparte. Presumably he’d be Napoléon VII.

Of course this is all purely hypothetical but if qualifications were based on looks alone 2 of the 3 claimants could be the King of many hearts! 👑❤️

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