Rue Saint-Séverin, Paris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Rue SAINT-SÉVERIN
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| Arrondissement | Ve |
| Quarter | Sorbonne |
| Begins | 12 rue Saint-Jacques and 18 rue du Petit Pont |
| Ends | 3 boulevard Saint-Michel |
| Length | 170 m |
| Width | 10 m between the rue Saint-Jacques and rue de la Harpe; 12 m the remaining |
| Creation | Portion to the west of the rue de la Harpe opened in 1855. |
| Denomination | 19 August, 1864 |
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View eastwards along the rue Saint-Séverin from the rue des Prêtres Saint-Séverin.
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The rue Saint-Séverin is a sometimes boisterous street running parallel to the river in the north of Paris' Latin Quarter. Lined with restaurants and souvenir shoppes, much of its commerce is dedicated to tourism.
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[edit] Name Origin
One of Paris' oldest churches, the Église Saint-Séverin, lies midway along this street's length.
[edit] History
The rue Saint-Séverin is one of Paris' oldest streets, as it dates from its quarter's creation in the early 13th century. At first existing only between the rue de la Harpe and the rue Saint-Jacques, it was later extended westwards from the former street to join the rue Saint-André des Arts. The rue Saint-Séverin reclaimed the remnants of the ancient rue du Macon upon the construction of the boulevard Saint-Michel from 1867, but from 1971 this isolated westward portion was renamed the rue Francisque Gay.
Former Names: Between the rue de la Harpe and the rue Saint-Jacques, this street was called the "rue Colin Pochet" in the 16th century.
[edit] Constructions of note
Odd Numbers.
- 7, 9, 11 - Buildings dating from the 17th century.
- 13 - Building still having its "name sign" that predated addresses - this one "La Cygne de la Croix" (a play-on-words of "the sign of the Cross").
Even Numbers.
- 4 - Engraving of streetname on building corner. "St" scratched away.
- 6 - Alleyway existing (and already barricaded) in 1239.
- 8 - Door and alleyway dating from the 16th century.
- 20 - 17th-century "rotisserie" (grill).
- 22 - 17th century hotel.
- 24-26 - Street name engraved on building corners; the "St." on both was scratched away after the 1789 revolution.
- 34 - Building dating from the 17th century. Remarkable doorway, arch engravings, courtyard and stairway (therein).
- 36 - Building known as l'auberge de "l'Étoile" in 1660.
[edit] References
Book
- (French) Hillairet, Jacques (avril 22, 2005). Connaissance du Vieux Paris. Rivages. ISBN 2869306482.
Web
- (French) Mairie de Paris - "Nomenclature des Voies: rue Saint-Séverin". Retrieved February 17, 2006.
