[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

Hôtel de Laffemas
Messire Isaac de Laffemas (1587-1657) est une créature de Richelieu: d’abord maître des requêtes, puis intendant, il achève sa carrière comme lieutenant criminel et civil, de 1637 à 1643. Dans "Marion Delorme", Victor Hugo insiste sur la sombre réputation de ce personnage: "Démon, j’ai dans tes yeux vu la sinistre flamme de ce rayon d’Enfer qui t’illuminait l’âme !" Disgracié à la mort de son protecteur, il ne cesse pourtant de soutenir le pouvoir royal, en particulier sous la Fronde, d’une plume restée alerte.

[Illustration of Isaac de Laffemas]

En effet, "dans toutes les besognes de haute et basse police, souvent assez malpropres, qu’il accomplit pour le cardinal, il fut toujours soutenu par un dévouement sincère à l’Etat".

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The plaque is located where the poet Isaac de Laffemas lived, who was also a member of the prévôté de Paris.

The house was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image

The illustration in the center of the sign is shown here at magnification Click for a larger image


Translation of the text on the sign:

[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

House of Isaac de Laffemas
Messire Isaac de Laffemas (1587-1657) is a creature of Richelieu: first master of requests, then intendant, he ended his career as criminal and civil lieutenant, from 1637 to 1643. In "Marion Delorme", Victor Hugo insists on the dark reputation of this character: "Demon, in your eyes I saw the sinister flame of this ray of Hell which illuminated your soul!" Disgraced upon the death of his protector, he nevertheless continued to support royal power, particularly under the Fronde (civil wars in the Kingdom of France), with a pen that remained alert.

[Illustration of Isaac de Laffemas]

Indeed, "in all the high and low police work, often quite dirty, that he carried out for the cardinal, he was always supported by a sincere devotion to the State".