"Originally a simple road leading to Saint-Ouen, Argenteuil, Roulette and Neuilly, rue Saint-Honoré developed at the end of the 12th century, following the creation of Les Halles. During the reign of Philippe Auguste, it formed part of the Paris “crossroads” with Rue Saint-Jacques and Rue Saint-Denis. It extended the rue de la Ferronnerie and terminated at the Porte Saint-Honoré, moved from 111 to 161, in 1380, with the enclosure of Charles V, then under Louis XIII, around 1634, at the intersection of the rue Royale. Along this road were the church of St-Honoré, the College des Bons-Enfants, the Quinze-Vingts hospice, the convents of the Oratoire, Feuillants, Capucins, Capucines, Filles de l'Assomption and Conception." (Translated with DeepL)
Background Notes
- Les Halles was a central food market created in Paris in the 12th century. The establishment of this market led to the development of Rue Saint-Honoré as it became an important commercial route connecting the market to the western outskirts of Paris.
- During Philippe Auguste's reign (1180-1223), Rue Saint-Honoré, Rue Saint-Jacques, and Rue Saint-Denis formed a crucial intersection that contributed to the growth and organization of Paris as an urban center. This crossroads facilitated trade, travel, and cultural exchange, highlighting its importance in medieval Parisian life.
- Philippe Auguste was instrumental in expanding and fortifying Paris. He built a wall around the city, which helped define its boundaries and improve security.
- Porte Saint-Honoré was a city gate in these fortifications, serving as the main entry point into the city from the west.
- The enclosure of Charles V (who reigned from 1364 to 1380) refers to the fortifications built around Paris in the late 14th century (which further modified and enhanced Philippe Auguste's fortifications). In 1380, the Porte Saint-Honoré was moved to accommodate these new fortifications.
- The Porte Saint-Honoré was moved again under Louis XIII, around 1634, to the intersection of Rue Royale. This relocation was likely due to the continued expansion of the city and the need to update its defences.
- In total, there were three gates with the name Porte Saint-Honoré, each demolished and rebuilt further along Rue Saint-Honoré as Paris expanded. None remain today.
- Rue Saint-Honoré was named after the collegial Saint-Honoré church (a 13th century church), which was situated on the street within the cloisters of Saint-Honoré (but was fully demolished by 1854).
- Two of the buildings mentioned in the last sentence of the translated text still exist:
- The Oratoire du Louvre (part of the convent of the Oratoire at no. 145 Rue Saint Honoré). It is now called the Église réformée de l'Oratoire du Louvre (the Reformed Church of the Oratory of the Louvre).
- Filles de l'Assomption and Conception (built between 1670 and 1676 at 263 bis, Rue Saint-Honoré, at the corner of Rue Cambon) is now the Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. Since 1844, it has been the main Polish church in Paris.