31.3.10

Even more about the Philippe Auguste wall

I have already tried to follow the trace of the Philippe Auguste wall, one of the walls (see previous post) surrounding a gradually bigger Paris and built 1190-1215. I have already posted about visible parts at Rue des Jardins Saint Paul, Rue des Rosiers, Rue des Francs Bourgeois, Cours de Commerce Saint André, Rue Mazarine and Boulevard Saint Germain. Here are some other spots where the wall can be seen:

Rue Clovis

This is normally one of the spots where the wall is most visible. Unfortunately – for my photo – but maybe after all fortunately, some restoration work is ongoing.

Rue du Cardinal Lemoine

This is in the same area as rue Clovis, and large parts of the wall are still there, but mainly behind closed doors. I managed to get into one courtyard.


Impasse de Nevers

This is a very small alley which you can reach via an arch under a building close to Pont Neuf (see previous post). Someone had decided to make it a place to sleep.

Rue du Louvre

This is facing the Bourse de Commerce (see previous post). This is the inner side of a tower that was rather recently discovered during the works for a new metro line (no. 14).

Tour Jean-sans-Peur

This tower was built about hundred years later than the wall for Jean-sans-Peur (John-without-Fear), duke of Burgundy, who had organized the killing of the King’s brother and tried to take the power in France. This led of course to a violent civil war between the “Armagnacs” (defending the officially reigning royal family, the “Orléans”) and the “Bourguignons”, the Burgundy side. Jean-sans-Peur had to protect himself and installed his sleeping room in this extremely well defended tower. Inside this tower, you can see the remains of one of the towers of the Philippe-Auguste wall.

There are other traces to be found. I hope to come back, but they are often inside or behind buildings and not so easy to access.


38 comments:

James said...

That is really great. A wonderful find or finds. I'm going to use this as a reference and see parts of the wall myself. I already have pictures of the Tour Jean-sans-Peur.

Simony said...

Peter, your maps with attached photos are just fascinating! What a professional you are. Interesting story about this wall.

Shionge said...

Oh ok...I'll walk to check out this wall the next visit to Paris :D

Thérèse said...

"L'hôtel de Nevers" semble même avoir le tout à l
égout!
You did a super good job in finding all these places.

Olivier said...

un vrai guide touristique, avec des promenades préprogrammées, superbe.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Extraordinaire travail de recherche, je suis épatée !

Et en effet, on en retrouve des traces par-ci par-là ! C'est émouvant, ces traces de l'histoire très très ancienne.

hpy said...

Tu as bien travaillé encore une fois. Sans toi on ne pourrait pas se douter que ce mur reste encore - au moins partiellement - visible.

claude said...

Tu sais bien faire le mur, Peter !!!
Le peu de temps que ma frangine a travaillé c'est pratiquement en face l'Elysées, c'était cher le couturier Louis Féraud. J'allais la chercher à son travail où c'était moi qio lui relisait sa sténo.

Adam said...

I think your book is nearly ready! It's amazing how many traces of the wall still survive.

Parisbreakfasts said...

I would follow you Peter down every alley and rue, no matter where, it's bound to be intriguing.
merci as always
carolg

Karin B (Looking for Ballast) said...

Candy, shopping, and now more wonderful history! I am getting caught up on posts today. :)

I am so impressed with the way you are persevering with tracing the wall around the city. I am with Adam: your book on this topic is nearly finished. ;-) This ancient view of Paris is wonderful, wonderful stuff. Thank you for all your complete work on the Philippe Auguste wall.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wow! I'm amazed at how meticulously you cover some very iconic edifices in your city!

Very thorough, I must say!

Anonymous said...

The history lesson is appreciated, especially when it comes to the Romans and their work throughout the land. The Roman legion near Lincolnshire in England is where my surname comes from.A Gaelic and Celtic Lind Coln. Lincoln .

Starman said...

It seems you've found someone's "home" at Impasse de Nevers.

Jeanie said...

I really believe your blog should be required reading before anyone heads to Paris!

Shammickite said...

What an amazing post, I love the way you are tracing the last remaining portions of this ancient wall, and showing us not only pictures of the remaining stones, but maps too, so we can find these treasures ourselves if we have the opportunity. Great work, Peter!
I'm currently doing my own historical investigation too.... ripping up old carpets in my house. But no treasures to be found, just a 1974 penny so far!

Vagabonde said...

This is really an interesting tour. You are a veritable historical sleuth for searching and finding different parts of this wall.

Cheryl said...

Paris was so little once! Baby Paris...

It's amazing you can still see anything remaining from that wall. And that's a great name, John-Without-Fear. Maybe I'll name my first born that one day ;)

joanna said...

Peter:

As always I remain your ardent follower and ditto to Carol G (PB) comment. The French are lucky to have you.

Dreaming of Paris,
Joanny

Unknown said...

I surely remember the first post about the wall. You've done a fantastic work here too, Peter! I take my hat off to you.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Peter, you did really a GREAT post here. Your maps with photos are just wonderful. I agree with Simony, "What a professional you are.". You must to write a book about Paris. You have so many information about Paris and BEAUTIFUL photos! I bet it will be a great success.
Have a nice day!

PattiKen said...

Great photos. Thanks for the tour of a real gem of hidden Paris.

P.S. I love little alleys!

Catherine said...

what a fascinating piece of research...great shots

Ruth said...

Built to last. It's extraordinary.

Carole said...

Quelle histoire Peter ce mur !
C'est quand même incroyable qu'il reste encore des "morceaux" et c'est tant mieux.
Bonne journée

Trotter said...

Incredible! I've been near that wall so many times and needed your posts to pay some attention to it... Great job!!

PeterParis said...

James:
I believe there is more still be found! :-)

Simony:
I do my best, still as an amateur though! :-)

Shionge:
Hope you stay for a couple of days! :-)

PeterParis said...

Thérèse:
Yes, but the heating leaves to be desired! :-)

Olivier:
Donc, tu as juste à suivre! :-)

Nathalie:
Oui, ça prend un peu de temps, en effet! :-)

PeterParis said...

hpy:
Merci! :-)

Claude:
:-))

Adam:
Still more to be found, I'm sure! :-)

PeterParis said...

ParisBreakfasts:
You are also quite good on some addresses! :-)

Karin:
I have a feeling that my research is modest, compared to yours! :-)

V Rakesh:
I do as well as possible! :-)

PeterParis said...

Abraham:
As I understand: Lin from Lynn - Welsh for lake - and Coln from Latin Colonia. ? :-)

Starman:
Obviously! :-)

Jeanie:
Maybe not really compulsory, but hopefully of some help! :-)

PeterParis said...

Shammickite:
History can mean a lot of things! :-)

Vagabonde:
I learn myself, when preparing the posts! :-)

Cheryl:
... if it's a boy! :-)

PeterParis said...

Joanny:
Thanks, nice compliment! :-)

JM:
Anyhow, it's the season to take off your hat! :-)

Sonia:
I doubt... there are already so many books about Paris! :-)

PeterParis said...

PattiKen:
I also love the little allies! :-)

Catherine:
Thanks!! :-)

Ruth:
... at least partly! :-)

PeterParis said...

Carole:
Oui, tant mieux pour un blogueur! :-)

Trotter:
Maybe you were not yet blogging when you passed by? :-)

Louis la Vache said...

Peter, this is just fantastic. «Louis» truly enjoys these posts.

Catherine said...

La boucle est bouclée mais il reste des failles dans les pointillés pour t'occuper encore.
Je me souviens tout particulièrement de la partie du mur de la rue Mazarine....je ne sais pas pourquoi......

PeterParis said...

Louis:
I'm happy to hear this! :-)

Catherine:
Va savoir! :-)