- History and visit the Rue du Four in Paris
- Curiosities around Rue du Four in Paris
- Transfer to the Rue du Four in Paris
History and visit the Rue du Four in Paris
Located in the vibrant sixth arrondissement of Paris, Rue du Four stretches for 442 meters from the esteemed Boulevard St-Germain to the intersection at the Red Cross. The street owes its name to the oven of the historic Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where locals were once obligated to bake their bread. Founded during the reign of Childebert I in 543, this monastery was dedicated to the city’s first bishop, Saint-Germain.
A consecrated church was established during this period, serving the monastery’s religious obligations. Among the city’s oldest spiritual structures, it was originally named after St. Vincent and St. Croix, symbolized by their iconic vestments. Initially, a cross, which Saint-Germain brought back from his campaigns against the Visigoths, graced the church. To honor his legacy, this cross was positioned within the sanctuary. However, post the exhumation and internment of Saint-Germain’s body within the church in 754, it was christened Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
From 1551, Rue du Four was named after Sauval. This title was conferred by a prominent lawyer who compelled the monks to pave the lanes, addressing the public’s grievances. Born to a bourgeois Parisian lineage in 1623, Sauval, the son of a merchant, was more than just a legal advocate to the monks; he was their savior during disputes with the Collège des Quatre-Nations. Not just a consultant lawyer for the Parliament, Sauval was also an accomplished writer. He penned an eloquent treatise on Paris’s history, which later saw publication.
Curiosities around Rue du Four in Paris
The Rue du Four isn’t merely a historic pathway but a vibrant epicenter of Parisian life. Adjacent to it stands the iconic Luxembourg Gardens, a haven for both tourists and locals to revel in nature’s beauty, witness exquisite sculptures, and even indulge in a game of chess. The street itself is lined with an array of boutiques, cafes, and patisseries, capturing the essence of Paris’s cafe culture. The renowned Church of Saint-Sulpice, with its awe-inspiring architecture and a rich history, lies just a few steps away. Literary enthusiasts might find solace in the nearby “Le Bon Marché,” the city’s first department store, and a recurring setting in Emile Zola’s novel, “Au Bonheur des Dames.”
Transfer to the Rue du Four in Paris
The Rue du Four boasts of an exceptional location and is easily accessible. It stands at a distance of 19 km from Orly airport, 38 km from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport, and a considerable 113 km from Beauvais Airport.