On the streeta of Paris - Rue de la Roquette with its guillotine connection.

A quiet afternoon on Rue de la Roquette which runs through the heart of the 11th arrondissement, a street shaped by everyday Paris. r Cafés, small shops and neighbourhood restaurants line the pavements, creating a place that feels lived-in.

In this view the street stretches away between pale façades and balconies, while pedestrians and cyclists move through the scene at an unhurried pace. The mix of terraces, storefronts and passing locals gives the street its character, quietly Parisian and rooted in daily life.

Did you know?

For nearly 50 years (1851–1899), the Grande Roquette prison stood here, its entrance the grim stage for public guillotine executions, 69 in total. Look closely at the road crossing at the junction of Rue de la Croix-Faubin: five subtle indentations mark the exact spot where the scaffold's base once sat. A quiet, chilling reminder underfoot.

Article here : Shadow of the Guillotine.

“The streets of Paris are best explored without hurry — they reveal themselves only to the unhurried.”

---

Part of the “Streets of Paris” Series

Each Saturday, we wander through the streets of Paris — tracing light, texture, and the quiet poetry of daily life.

Browse the full series

© About Paris — Streets of Paris · Back to Home