Passage Sainte-Avoie, thoroughfare in Paris, France
Passage Sainte-Avoie is a narrow passageway in Paris that runs approximately 80 meters and measures just under 9 meters wide. It connects different streets in the Marais district and is lined with historic buildings whose stone archways and original features bear traces of many centuries.
The passageway was created in 1828 along the line of medieval fortifications built by Philippe Auguste that once encircled Paris. The most significant historical remnant is the Hôtel de Mesmes, a royal residence where the famous military leader Anne de Montmorency died in 1567.
The passageway takes its name from a nearby convent of nuns dedicated to Sainte-Avoie, reflecting the area's religious past. It serves as a quiet connector between neighborhood streets, preserving its historical character while remaining part of the daily life of residents and visitors.
Access is easiest from Rue Rambuteau, where an entrance opens near number 8, connecting through to number 62. The passage can be entered on foot and offers a direct walking route between these two streets, though accessibility may vary seasonally.
The passageway follows the exact line of Philippe Auguste's medieval city wall, preserving a route that has remained largely unchanged since the Middle Ages. This makes it a rare example of a street that directly reflects medieval Paris' urban layout within the modern city.
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