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 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.
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.
Welcome to the heart of Rue des Thermopyle.
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.
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!
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Rue des Thermopyle 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
Paris Adèle’s Information Nécessaire:
Paris 75014
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