The existing Notre-Dame de Lorette church was built starting in 1823, over a period of 13 years. It replaced an early 18th century chapel of the same name. The neighborhood, which was then outside the city proper, was developing, and there were no nearby churches, so a new one was called for.
Cabarets and guinguettes lined the rue des Martyrs, which runs up the slope of Montmartre to the north. The nearby Sacré-Cœur and Trinité churches didn't yet exist. Notre-Dame de Lorette was built in the neo-classical style that was much in vogue at the time.
By the way, lorette, for a time, was used as a slang term used to describe a person we might in English call a young woman "of ill repute". There were a lot of what might be called « petites maisons » in what was a rough and tumble neighborhood 200 years ago.
Remember, just on the north side of this neighborhood is the Place Pigalle. I guess it all went with the territory. Some things don't change.
In the 1970s, I knew an American woman — a fellow student and teacher — who lived on a street off the Rue des Martyrs, just behind the Notre-Dame de Lorette church. She was not a lorette. (I don't know why I am writing this...) I've walked by the church hundreds of time but I've never been inside.
Whatever. I liked this window display in a shop next to the church. I'm not sure what it is supposed to represent. Are these little statuettes in candy? Soap? Always expect the unexpected in Paris.
Maybe they're bottles of holy shampoo.
ReplyDeleteCould they be candles?
DeleteYou might be interested in this book, then: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24724583-the-only-street-in-paris The author lived on the rue des Martyrs and that is the subject of the book.
ReplyDeleteIs that Elaine Sciolino's book? I probably should read it.
DeleteReading the blurb about Sciolino's book makes me think how I lived on rue Montorgueil back in the day when it was more like the rue des Martyrs still is now. Rue Montorgueil has been completely transformed, with so many of the old shops now converted into cafés and restaurants for the young crowd.
DeleteEaster virgins ? lol
ReplyDeleteI like this classic revival much better than the faux whatever of la Trinité.
ReplyDeleteMy curiosity was picked about Our Lady of Loreto. Who was she or what happened in Loreto, Italy? I googled Loreto and was rewarded by this website:
Deletehttp://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/loreto1.htm
For those enjoying fairy tales, I strongly suggest reading what led to the pilgrimage to Loreto.
Maybe the angels will soon transport that chapel to Paris. They could set it down on the Esplanade des Invalides.
DeleteKen, LOL!
DeleteHoly water? So colorful!
ReplyDeleteCould be that. I should have paid more attention to see what it was I was taking a picture of.
DeleteRue des Martyrs by Elaine Sciolino is about this street, the church. and various stories associated with it. The book, in English, is by the bureau chief of the NY Times. She lives around the corner from rue des Martyrs. The book is a delight to read as is your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and nice words, Pat. I wasn't sure if Ms. Sciolino still lived in Paris or not. I used to read her NYT columns about France.
DeleteA nice classical portico. I'll never be able to meet anyone named Loretta again without thining of this post. lol.
ReplyDeleteI think you will laugh . Google has this thing where you describe the photo and they tell you what it is .. in this case, I got back images of Barbie dolls lol ... I do think they are candles.
ReplyDelete