Wednesday/Thursday, September 4-5, 2024 – HERE ARE AUTHENTIC 17TH CENTURY HOMES

By admin

Rue de Braque:


Discovering a Hidden Gem


of


Old Paris

ISSUE # 1299

PARIS MOMENTS (C)

pierre@frenchmoments.com

One spring morning in 2016, I discovered a hidden gem on the quiet Rue de Braque in the 3rd arrondissement.

Until then, I thought there were only three major half-timbered houses in Paris.

This beautifully preserved house stands tucked away from the busy streets, offering a glimpse into the city’s pre-Haussmannian past.

It felt like stepping back in time to when timbered façades were common across Paris.

Discovering this rare piece of history was a reminder that Paris still holds surprises, revealing traces of its medieval charm when you least expect it.

Half-Timbered Houses in Central Paris

To my knowledge, there are three principal half-timbered dwellings in Paris, all of them situated in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements:

Rue François Miron (numbers 11&13):

Rue des Barres (number 12):

And Rue Volta (number 3):

A house dating back to the 17th century

This hidden gem dates back to the 17th century.

Originally, timbered houses were prohibited, so builders often concealed them behind courtyards, out of public sight.

Number 5 is one such example, originally covered with plaster to avoid detection.

However, a recent restoration has revealed the magnificent timber structure of the corps de logis, showcasing the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Restricted access!

Despite its beauty, this property remains privately owned, with access strictly limited.

Visitors can only catch a glimpse if the courtyard gate happens to be open.

It’s this exclusivity that makes the house all the more intriguing.

For those seeking to explore Paris beyond the well-trodden paths, this discovery offers a rare glimpse into the city’s hidden architectural treasures—remnants of a time long before Haussmann reshaped the skyline.

Half-timbered house in Rue de Braque Paris © French Moments

CREDITS

PARIS MOMENTS (C)
UNTAPPED NEW YORK
JUDITH BERDY

PHOTO OF THE DAY

50TH AND NINTH

A GREAT SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS
AND THE SKYSCRAPERS LOOMING NEARBY

EXCITING COMING ATTRACTION

100,000 plush flowers crafted by artist CJ Hendry will take over Four Freedoms Park from September 13-15! This immersive floral exhibition, Flower Market, is housed within a greenhouse built on the park’s lawn. Colorful florals inside were inspired by the Roosevelt family: the yellow Eleanor Roosevelt Rose, Tulips for the Roosevelt family’s Dutch heritage, red roses symbolizing the Roosevelt name, and Peonies, a signature flower of the family’s farm. Twelve original drawings by Hendry accompany the blossoming meadow. Visitors are encouraged to pluck their own flowers from the garden to take home. This exhibition is free and open to the public from 10am to 4pm on September 13 to 15.

Check out her website and imagine what we will see here:
https://cjhendrystudio.com

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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