On the corner of rue Becquerel is a historic sign from the city of Paris in tribute to Louise Michel. Louise Michel is said to have been headmistress of a local school at 26 rue du Mont-Cenis, but the building has disappeared and there is no record of it ever having existed. The current school was built several years after the Commune. (see Louise Michel in point 2, square Louise Michel)

It was from this north face that Versailles troops attacked the Butte Montmartre on 23 May, much to the surprise of the Communards who were waiting for them on the south side. The German army had opened a passage between its lines to allow the Versailles troops to attack from this side. An emblematic alliance between the French and German armies against the people of Paris!

Versailles troops entered Paris from the west on 21 May, and the bloody week had begun. The advance of the troops was accompanied by a series of massacres. Between 20,000 and 30,000 Parisians died in this furious orgy. 43,000 were taken prisoner and sent in large numbers in lead-lined wagons to pontoons in the Atlantic ports. 4,500 were deported to New Caledonia and 10,000 managed to hide and go into exile outside France.