Who said Paris’ story was only about its monuments? As a matter of fact, the French capital is full of history whether it’s with its authentic neighborhoods, its hidden undergrounds or typically Parisian views, or its ancient and unique stores. Most of them being from the 19th century, these stores managed to stay charming and keep their history up to today. Perhaps have you never noticed it by walking Paris streets, but the French capital includes over a hundred ancient stores listed as historic monuments. Without further ado, here are five of them!
A former library – Paris 14th arrondissement
It’s on 10 bis rue Roger, by the Montparnasse cemetery that you’ll discover the façade of this former library listed as historical monuments since 1984. On the ground floor, the building is adorned with a unique window from the 19th century. Above the door, you can see a bearded man with a hat along with two quills used to write back in the days.
A former store – Paris 3rd arrondissement
From the outside, it may look average and you may not even notice it! And yet, the façade of this former store set on 13 rue Michel-le-Comte is listed as historic monument. How come? It’s a façade from the 19th century with simple wood panel and some decorations typical of the Restauration. Moreover, the two little iron columns on each side of the door represent a capital with two heads of Bacchus, the god of wine in the Roman mythology.
A former delicatessen – Paris 1st arrondissement
It’s at the corner of the rue Rambuteau and rue Lescot that you’ll find this former delicatessen from the 19th century. Look up and around the building, you can find a beehive carved in stone and bees around it. It’s in this atypical place that used to be a delicatessen listed as historical monument in 1984.
A former bakery – Paris 4th arrondissement
“Chez Julien” this is the name of this former bakery now turned into a gourmet restaurant. Set on 62 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, its charming façade dates from the 19th century. Decorated with a mill, reapers and sheaves, this façade owes its decoration to the Ateliers Gilbert, a Parisian woodworking company that still exists.
A former butcher’s store – Paris 12th arrondissement
Burgundy-red façade on which are painted wild-boar hunting scenes: no doubt the façade of the former butcher’s store will catch your eyes from the outside. Set on 4 bis rue Parrot, you’ll notice the woodwork and the reverse glass paintings by Atelier de Benoist et Fils specialized in store decorations at that time. This building was built in 1903 but it’s in 1984 that it joins the many other Parisian stores listed as historic monuments.
