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Surrounded by tourists and government institutions, the Île de la Cité still holds, if you look closely, amazing testimonies of its past.
© DR
Francois-Guillaume Lorrain
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IHe tells me that he is a remnant. Remains of the Île de la Cité. I was heading down the rue de Chantre, the narrowest street on the island and the best way to get an idea of the old medieval interweaving of streets, at the turn of the rue Ursain, when I saw a lady, an open window, vacuuming. I called Master G…, a former notary who had lived there for over 40 years. He welcomes me to his apartment at the crossroads that runs from Quai Fleur to Rue Chanuanes. He tells me about a time when the place was filled with nothing but dead old ladies who were replaced by wealthy foreigners who rarely go there. Result: He is often alone in his 19th century building.e century. Already that Ile de la Cité, seized by the police, justice …
