Nicolas Flamel’s house is one of the oldest buildings in Paris.
Located near the Marais, it was built in 1407 after the death of his wife, to house poor people upstairs and a shop downstairs.
It has now turned into a gastronomic restaurant, far from the altruistic idea that was behind the reason it was built in the first place.
On the house can be read « Nous homes et femes laboureurs demourans ou porche de ceste maison qui fut faite en l’an de grâce mil quatre cens sept, somes tenus chascun en droit soy dire tous les jours une peternostre et un ave maria en priant Dieu que sa grâce face pardon aux povres pescheurs trespasses, Amen. » which roughly translates to « We plowmen and women living at the porch of this house, built in 1407, are requested to say every day an our father and an ave maria praying God that his grace forgive poor and dead sinners, Amen. »
Contrary to popular beliefs, and the Harry Potter franchise, he wasn’t an alchemist.
The movie As above so below is mainly centered around this legend.
He didn’t create or own the Philosopher’s stone, he was just a rich noble. Those rumors started around 200 years after his death and have only grown bigger with time.
While the restaurant is pricey, the exterior is worth the detour for the historical factor alone if you’re ever in the neighbourhood.
