Villa Santos-Dumont

The Villa Santos-Dumont is a narrow, private lane tucked into the fifteenth arrondissement, lined with small houses and overgrown gardens that feel miles from the city center. Alberto Santos-Dumont, the aviation pioneer who flew the first aircraft in Europe, lived at number nine. He spent his time there designing flying machines while keeping his own specialized airplane parts stored in the basement. Neighbors often saw him walking his pet dogs on silk leashes through these quiet, cobblestone paths.