Rue des Fossés-Saint-Jacques: A Poetic Vignette of Parisian Longing and Absence

I will turn left when I reach rue des Fossés-Saint-Jacques, by place de l’Estrapade. He said he would be waiting for me there, although I know he lies. Most likely, he won’t be there.

This neighborhood is very dear to me. When I first arrived in Paris, I lived nearby, kitty-corner to the Panthéon, not far from where I lived on rue d’Ulm. I will never forget the fragrance drifting from the boulangerie on place de l’Estrapade. They had the best croissants in town.

I am almost at rue des Fossés-Saint-Jacques. My heart is pounding. I have butterflies in my stomach. I haven’t seen him in such a long time. This day feels special already.

Just as I feared.

He wasn’t there…