Quai de Gesvres, Riverfront street in 4th arrondissement, France
Quai de Gesvres is a riverfront street on the right bank of the Seine in Paris's 4th arrondissement, running through the Saint-Merri neighborhood. It offers direct access to the waterfront and connects to surrounding squares and historic districts.
The quai de Gesvres was built under letters patent of February and 30 August 1642 on land granted by Louis XIII to René Potier de Tresmes, whose son renamed Tresmes as Gesvres. It was laid over a vaulted gallery meant to keep the Seine bed from narrowing; houses separating it from the rue de Gesvres were demolished in 1786 to widen it. The gallery, called canal des Cagnards, was closed at night by gates from 1727 and almost entirely filled in between 1860 and 1861.
The gallery's name, Canal des Cagnards, referred to the brigands who frequented it at night; in 1727 it was decided to close it with gates after dark. By day, when the Seine was not in flood, it welcomed walkers. In 1831 a police guide noted the quay drew idlers in cold or mild seasons thanks to its south-facing sun.
The street is easily accessible from the Hôtel de Ville and Châtelet metro stations with connections to several lines. Visitors should note that waterfront access may vary depending on the season and water levels.
The gallery under the quay was closed at night with iron grilles by a decision of 1727, because brigands frequented it after dark. Its remains were found when the tunnel of metro line 7 was dug through the old gallery in the 1920s.
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