Rue des Thermopyle

paris secret passage rue thermopyle

 

Rue des Thermopyle

Paris | 75014

Discovering secret little streets off the beaten track can be fun, but you need to know where to find them.

 

Take a short 650 metre stroll with me to discover a very unusual gate and a little known alleyway called Rue des Thermopyles.

No tourists, no shops.

Just cobbled stones, the odd local, using the street as a short-cut, Parisians taking a quiet stroll and plenty of bicycles to add charm and character to this rustic little street.

Starting at the unusual Pernety Métro stop, walk straight ahead, against the flow of the traffic down, Rue Raymond Losserand.

pernety metro entrance paris
pernety metro entrance paris

Pernety Métro opened in January 1937 and was named after Joseph Marie de Pernety.  He was one of Napoleon’s Generals and owned the surrounding land.

Although it is not one of the prettiest métro stations you will come across, it does have an unusual façade.

 

WALK FOR 100 METRES  passing Rue des Thermopyle on your left and turn left into Rue Boyer-Barret.

As irresistible as it may seem, leave Rue des Thermopyle until later because first I have a surprise to show you.

As you stroll along Rue Boyer-Barret, note the different styles of architecture at #2 and #6 and the pretty façade at #16.

 

CONTINUE ALONG Rue Boyer-Barret, as the street narrows and changes name to Cité Bauer.  Look out for the unusual gate at #19 Cité Bauer.

heart shaped gate paris cite bauer

 

 

This darling and unusual gate graces the former home of Hungarian artist, Alexandre Mezei.

He designed it in 1959.

The intricate iron work of the heart shape cut outs, display pretty flowers and tulips and scrolled into the main gate are the words; ‘Sten Hozott’ which means welcome in Hungarian.

Decorative timber flowers adorn the sides of both the gates with charming coloured flowers and inlays.

The colourful panel depicts a seated shepherd playing his flute, with his dog by his side, whilst looking out for his flock of sheep.

That is not something you see every day in the middle of Paris!

Now that you have left the busy car clogged streets behind, continue along this tiny street, measuring only 130 metres long noting how the architecture has changed once again to small neighbouring workers cottages.

 

After passing the small and pretty park on the left and when you reach Rue Didot, turn left and left again into Rue des Thermopyle.

Passing the park again, on your left, continue to what appears to be a dead end street and take the dog leg, right and then left.

 

paris secret passages rue thermopyle

Welcome to the heart of Rue des Thermopyle.

 

rue thermopyle paris
paris cobbled street rue des thermopyle
paris cobbled passage rue des thermopyle
cat curtains paris rue thermopyle
rue des thermopyle paris passage

Wisteria gracefully twists and twines,

hanging from the walls, this is especially pretty in Spring and Summer.

Coloured shutters decorate the windows, pretty pot plants line the street and flower boxes adorn window sills.

Of course there is always the obligatory bike and the odd cat to add that extra charm to this rustic, cobbled passage.

Rue des Thermopyle was once a private street and it wasn’t until 1959, that is was opened to the public.

Named by the former land owner, after the Battle of Thermopylae. It is said that he gave the street the name, because it was as narrow as the pass of Thermoylae in Greece, only wide enough to allow one chariot at a time.

rue thermopyle paris

 

To finish your walk, stroll to the end of Rue des Thermopyle and turn right into Rue Raymond Losserand, within 100 metres will have you back at Pernety Metro Station

There are plenty of secret treasures to be found in Paris, you just need to know where to find them!

If you have found this information interesting or useful, please leave a comment or follow me on facebook for daily tips, photos and anecdotes, your feedback encourages me to keep this site up to date. Merci!

Paris Adèle’s Information Nécessaire:

rue thermopyle paris

Rue des Thermopyle
Paris 75014

Nearest Metro:  Pernety

Print this MAP –  of the walking tour, to take with you

For more information about Paris arrondissements click here

Metro Tickets Required: Two Regular €1.70 metro tickets for there and back.

How to Use the Metro – link

Places nearby:  Montparnasse Cemetery (550 metres)  MAP

 

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6 Responses to Rue des Thermopyle

  • As Seen By Susan

    Okay, Adele. This is too, too, too amazing. I’ve been reading about all of your out-of-the-way places to see, and as I was scrolling through Rue des Thermopyle, I was taken aback when I read about Cite Bauer and saw the heart gate. My last name is BAUER and I collect hearts–all kinds. THIS is definitely on my list of must-sees. Even though it is a bit out of the way from where we are staying, I think I figured out how to connect all the passages you write about along with the Galleries Lafayette free view of Paris which are all along Metro line #3, then transfer at Miromesnil to the #13 to Pernety to walk through Rue des Thermopyle. Such serendipity! I love it!!!!!!

    • parisadele

      Oh Susan! – how lovely to see this wonderful message from you! I am so excited for you.  And it warms my heart that you have not only found something that you will find enjoyable during your next discovery of Paris but also something that resonates with you personally and thank you so much for sharing your excitement, I can’t imagine how you must feel about the hearts and Cite Bauer but I can understand your anticipation. Each time I discover something new before arriving in Paris, I am bursting with excitement. I kind of know how you feel but your connection is even more exciting. My words don’t seem express it. I hope you can find the time, after you get back to send some photos, it will be lovely to see your smiling face in front of the heart shaped gate in the street of Bauer! AND – Seems like you now have the interesting metro stations and passageways covered but thanks for the heads up, and thank you for the advice, I will endeavour to add maps to make life easier for everyone the minute I have some time.  Again, I am so excited for you that you have found something that is perfect for you – it is just the little things ? yes?

  • As Seen By Susan

    Oui, oui, oui! Yes, I am very excited and it is all because I found YOUR FB site and blog. Even though I will be in Paris for only three days, I know exactly where I want to go and what I want to see. Merci a vous! I think I mentioned that these three days will be at the end of our nearly month-long trip that includes a little over two weeks in Italy and another week in Goult in Provence. During the week in Goult we will be staying in a gite that is owned by the wife of a friend of the couple we are traveling with, so it should be fun. My partner Doug and I spent 12 days in Provence (Nice, Avignon, L’isle sur la Sorgue and Arles) in October and absolutely loved it. So now we are feeling like we are returning home. One thing we saw was the Carrieres des Lumieres in Les Baux, which we are planning on revisiting this trip since it has a new show. Are you familiar with it? Also, are you familiar with Provence to suggest any villages or sites in particular that we should see? Your suggestions for Paris are so spot-on that I just thought you might have more secrets to share of other regions. But never mind if you don’t. You have already given me so much to see that I will be forever in your debt. And yes, I will take a photo of me in front of the heart gate. In fact, that is the original purpose of my FB site, As Seen By Susan, to provide my friends with a daily journal with photos of my travels. So you will get to see all my photos in real time, or almost. A bientot–Susan

    • parisadele

      Hi Susan, thanks so much you are so nice and kind to offer thanks, I think a lot of people skim the info and run – lol. Goult sounds wonderful. The only places I know of in Provence you have already visited, apart from Aix-en-Provence but it is such a big city. I do fancy the idea of sitting in Hôstellerie Le Château and watching the river stream by whilst having a leisurely lunch. It is in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse – you should be able to find it if you use google. I can’t recommend because I haven’t been but it looks like a sweet little place – let me know if you go there. It looks like it is 20km from Goult. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

  • Maggie

    LOVE your secrets! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    • parisadele

      Hello Maggie
      thank you so much, it is my favourite part of my site too. So glad you like it and it is my pleasure to share. merci!

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