110 meters of Lille glory
It's called boulevard Papin, measures exactly 110 meters, and yet it checks all the boxes of a true boulevard: pristine cobblestones, spacious sidewalks, and beautiful trees lined up. It connects Porte de Paris to boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas, forming a little angle with the giants Louis XIV and Liberté, which stretch out for 1.6 km.
It’s a bit like a mini croissant nestled between two giant baguettes.
A micro-boulevard rich in history
Its existence dates back to 1865, right after the 7ᵉ expansion of Lille. At that time, it was carved out on a gentle slope outside the old medieval walls, of which Porte de Paris was a part.
In other words, boulevard Papin has witnessed much more than just electric scooters: it’s a little piece of urban heritage all on its own.
A Miniature Star Captured from the Skies
The Lille photographer Samuel Baba has captured a stunning image of Boulevard Papin, seen from the top of the Porte de Paris. You can see its entire length (well, almost all of it), lined with trees and bathed in light. It’s a true miniature postcard that makes this micro-boulevard even more fascinating.
Gourmet Bonus: A Must-Stop at L’Impertinente
And as if this little urban gem weren’t enough, Boulevard Papin is home to a well-known spot for sweet tooths at number 9: L’Impertinente, the trendy tea salon in Lille that’s a hit on social media.
In other words, you could say that in Lille, the world’s smallest boulevard smells of shortbread and latte.
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And by the way, we have more mini curiosities around here
If you love tiny records, you'll be happy to know that there's also the Rue du Petit Paon, which is only 20 meters long, and another little boulevard: Bigot Danel, just 150 meters long, over by Vauban.
Lille proves once again that it knows how to do things big... even when they're small.
Source: Good Morning Lille