Rue de la Harpe

Paris · France · Alley

The father dreamt of red devils celebrating his daughter's wedding to Satan himself — and woke as the harp sign tore off the wall.

Around 1250 an instrument maker kept his workshop on this street, under a sign showing King David with his harp. His daughter Agnès, twenty years old and quiet, worked in the shop and drew the eyes of everyone who passed. One day she climbed onto the horse behind an unknown gentleman and vanished. Her father sat up through the storm and dreamt of red devils celebrating a wedding between his daughter and Satan himself; he was woken by a terrible crash — the harp sign had torn loose from the wall and hit the ground. He burnt the sign, but the street still carries his loss in its name. In the summer of 1860 the quarter gained new notoriety when lumps of coal began flying in through the windows of a house here. The officers posted to watch were struck themselves, and no thrower was ever found.

FAQ

Where is Rue de la Harpe located?

Rue de la Harpe is in Paris, France.