Rue des Thermopyles Paris
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Last Updated: 28 April 2021

Rue des Thermopyles: what an odd name for a street. Situated in a part of Paris that is exempt from any major monuments and museums, the cat-friendly street will surprise you with its country look. Situated in the 14th arrondissement, rue des Thermopyles is an oasis of calm and greenery waiting to be discovered. The adjacent street of Cité Bauer has some interesting houses to admire…

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The peaceful rue des Thermopyles

Rue des Thermopyles Paris
Rue des Thermopyles © French Moments

Lined with low-rise houses linked by leafy arches, the 280-metre long street is worth a stroll particularly in the spring when the abundance of wisteria blossoms cover part of the façades.

Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
Wisteria covering part of the façades © French Moments

Coloured shutters, pot plants lining the street, flower boxes decorating the window sills… no tourists and no shops are found there!

Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
Pot plants lining the street © French Moments
Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
Pot plants © French Moments
Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
A local cat! © French Moments
Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
A French-style façade! © French Moments

Rue des Thermopyles is one of the few streets that has kept its original stone pavement.

Rue des Thermopyles Paris
Rue des Thermopyles © French Moments

It was a private street closed by iron gates until 1959.

Rue des Thermopyles Paris
Rue des Thermopyles © French Moments

The street owes its name to the Battle of Thermopylae which was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days. The street refers to the narrow pass where the legendary battle was fought.

Rue des Thermopyles Paris
Rue des Thermopyles © French Moments
Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
The narrow paved street © French Moments

At the end of the street, a shared garden has been run for many years by a local association.

Rue des Thermopyles Paris © French Moments
A colourful street! © French Moments
14th arrondissement, Paris © French Moments
A haven of peace in the city! © French Moments
14th arrondissement, Paris © French Moments
Follow the signs! © French Moments
14th arrondissement, Paris © French Moments
In between the city and the countryside! © French Moments

Explore the neighbourhood by walking by Square du Chanoine-Viollet and the cute streets of Cité Bauer and rue du Moulin.


Square du Chanoine-Viollet

Square du Chanoine Viollet © French Moments
Square du Chanoine Viollet © French Moments

Formerly known as Square Didot, this public park covers an area of 3,300 m2. Created in 1939 on the site of demolished buildings, it was renovated in 2004.

The park pays tribute to Abbey Viollet (1875-1956) who founded the Œuvres du Moulin Vert to provide support to the needy of the 14th arrondissement.


The surprising gate in Cité Bauer

The narrow street of Cité Bauer consists of charming little buildings.

Cité Bauer Paris © French Moments
The narrow street of Cité Bauer © French Moments

One of them, at number 19, is rather unusual for the style of its gate.

Cité Bauer Paris
19 Cité Bauer © French Moments

It was the former home of a Hungarian artist, Alexandre Mezei. In 1959 he designed the odd-looking gate with intricate ironwork. Designed in a heart shape, it features flowers and tulips and the words: Sten Hozott which means welcome in the Magyar language.

Cité Bauer Paris
The door at 19 Cité Bauer © French Moments
Cité Bauer Paris
19 Cité Bauer © French Moments

The gate is decorated with a painted panel that represents a seated shepherd playing the flute, with his dog by his side, and a flock of sheep grazing in the distance.

More photos of Cité Bauer :

Cité Bauer Paris © French Moments
Cité Bauer © French Moments
Cité Bauer Paris © French Moments
Cité Bauer © French Moments

Check out google map for the exact location of the rue des Thermopyles. Closest métro station: Pernety (line 13).

Do you know of other offbeat places in the Left Bank of Paris? Share them with us by commenting below! And who knows, I might be able to have a look myself!


 

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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