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Paris is getting a street named after David Bowie

The spot will be in the 13th arrondissement, and it’s opening next week

Rémi Morvan
Liv Kelly
Written by
Rémi Morvan
Translated by:
Liv Kelly
David Bowie
Photograph: Creative Commons
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Feeling under pressure? Want to embrace your inner hero, just for one day? Well, you’re in luck. In a heartwarming dedication to one of the world’s brightest ever songwriters, dazzling performers and all-round icons, the city of Paris is about to establish a David Bowie street, and you’ll be able to pay it a visit soon. 

After lots of hard work to make it happen, and nearly eight years to the day since the news of Bowie’s death, which really did shake the world, the street’s inauguration is due to take place on Monday, January 8

Located in the Austerlitz district in the 13th arrondissement, the street will be nestled between Rue Gisèle-Freud and Avenue Pierre-Mendès-France. 

But, what actually is the link between Bowie and Paris? Well, according to the city’s town hall, it was in Paris – not Berlin, not Mars – in 1965 that an 18-year-old Bowie performed for the first time ever, with his band The Lower Third. The 13th arrondissement, with all its street art and reputation as an ‘artistic Eden’ seemed a fitting place for the commemoration. 

To celebrate the street’s inauguration, Paris town hall has organised an evening of celebrations, led by journalist and Bowie biographer Jérôme Soligny. There’ll be a concert by Clifford Slapper at 7 pm on January 8 (at the village hall) and a photo and painting exhibition dedicated to the Thin White Duke (in the Athena gallery) too. It sounds like quite the party – let’s dance. 

Here are some other cracking things to do in Paris, and here are some of the city’s best live music locations

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