In the 12th arrondissement of Paris exists a colorful and refreshing line of English styled cottages. This line of 35 residential and private houses is located on the famous Rue Crémieux; named after Jewish lawyer and advocate for human rights, Adolphe Crémieux. Avid users of social media are very familiar with this pastel painted street as it is known as, “Instagram’s most favorite street”. With one search, #RueCremieux will locate 31,000 images that have this hashtag. Proof, this enchanting stretch of houses has captured the attention of many and has served as the perfect backdrop for an Instagram post.
Before “la rue” opened in 1865, the Imperial Arenas rested here holding 1,500 seats and served as a place of entertainment during the Second Empire in the 1850s. This time of opposition towards the government left room for people needing a place for entertainment. The Imperial Arenas filled that space and served as a getaway or great escape. The historical background reveals a cultural transition; it was once an arena for entertainment and now a social media phenomenon. La Rue Crémieux attracted as much attention then as it does now, and it seems as though the cobblestone street was destined to be an escape from reality. Now, it is most attractive for its green, blue, purple, yellow, and pink houses but also for its ability to offer a release from the hustle of Paris. The colorful setting, cobblestone street, and well maintained greenery takes its visitors out of Paris and offers them a new perspective. One that is brighter, newer, and bolder. This stands in contrast to the rest of the city of Paris.
Can the tourists and bloggers be blamed for finding this utopia to be captivating and exceptional?
It can be assumed that the people who live in the charming houses lining the street are forgotten or dismissed. However, the residents are not going down without a fight. There has been a recent protest because the residents are entirely annoyed with the constant attention on their homes. One resident vocalized that the street should be closed on evenings, weekends, and during “magic hour,” the time of day when the sun starts to sink and light is just right. The efforts made to slow down blogger traffic might be useless considering the effect this street has already had on Instagram. A public street versus private housing is a concept and debate that social media has completely disregarded; but when something is this refreshing and beautiful is there anyone to blame?
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In spring 2020, my students and I embarked on an exploration of the City of Lights in our Unlocking Paris class. Each student investigated an aspect of Paris that might not be known to the typical tourist–artistic movements, architecture, and monuments. They then composed blog posts dedicated to their subject, went through peer editing, and finally revisions. Over the next month, I will feature their insightful, lively work on Creative Sanctuary. Our hope is to share beautiful Paris with our readers. I launch the series with my post on Paris’ Covered Passages.