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

Histoire de Paris

Maison de Nicolas Flamel
Nicolas Flamel était un riche bourgecis parisien, dont une légende tenace a voulu fair e un alchimiste, à la recherche de la pierre philosophale et du moyen de changer le plomb en or. Paroissien de Saint-Jacques de la Boucherie, il fut génereux donateur: son nom et celui de sa femme Pernelle ont été donnés à deux petites rues proches de la tour de l’ancienne eglise qui subsiste encore en bordure de la rue de Rivoli. Au début du XVe siècle, il fait construire cette demeure, dont le rez-de-chaussée était voué au commerce.

[Illustration of the house]

Les étages hébergeaient gratuitement des pauvres gens sous condition de réçiter matin et soir un pater et un ave pour Flamel et Pernelle. C’est la plus vieille maison de Paris.

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 sign is located near the place where the alchemist Nicolas Flamel (1330-40 - 1418) lived, who is considered one of the greatest alchemists of Europe, and according to legend, even managed to create the Philosopher’s Stone, which turns lead into gold, as well as create the potion of eternal life from which he and his wife drank to live forever These (legend, legend...)

The house was built in 1407 and is the oldest house in 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

The House of Nicolas Flamel
Nicolas Flamel was a rich Parisian bourgecis, of whom a persistent legend wanted to make an alchemist, in search of the philosopher’s stone and the means of changing lead into gold. A parishioner of Saint-Jacques de la Boucherie, he was a generous donor: his name and that of his wife Pernelle were given to two small streets near the tower of the old church which still remains on the edge of rue de Rivoli. At the beginning of the 15th century, he had this residence built, the ground floor of which was dedicated to commerce.

[Illustration of the house]

The upper floors housed poor people free of charge on the condition that they recite morning and evening a pater and an ave for Flamel and Pernelle. It is the oldest house in Paris.