Rue Notre Dame de Lorette is maybe just an ordinary
street in what is referred to “Nouvelle Athènes”, an area of Paris where most
of the buildings are from the middle of the 19th century and which for decades used to be where artists of all kinds lived and worked.
The street is to be found north and south of Place
Saint Georges on which I posted here and here. We may especially remember the
statue of Paul Gavarni, the “lorettes”…?
The buildings, the facades, the porches… are, as was
the case in those days, often beautifully decorated. On the top picture, we see an example of a pelican which is supporting a balcony.
Some more specific buildings…
Eugène Delacroix had his studio and lived at no. 58 for 13 years, 1844-57. He was at the height of his reputation and was
visited by a number of artists. This was also the area where he could in those
days meet neighbours like George Sand or Chopin…
During this period, in 1848, another painter was
born in the next building, at no. 56 – Paul Gauguin.
For some reason, at no. 54, you can find the busts of
Heloïse and Abelard, the mythic 12th century couple.
During the years 1949-61 one could, at no. 46, find a
cabaret. Some of my French readers will recognise some of the performers....
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