In the 19th century, the "bal des folles" (ball of the madwomen) was a very popular attraction, a social event that brought together all of Paris around women suffering from dementia, abandoned or simply fragile.
In the Marais, rue François Miron, you can discover two superb gabled houses typical of old Paris, which date from the 15th century. They were completely restored in 1967 to bring back the half-timbered areas, the medieval-style shops and the gables.
After the gigantic fire that devastated London in 1666, an ordinance obliged Parisians to cover their facades with plaster to limit the spread of fire, and gables, which also favored fires, were banned. Covered with plaster, these facades were therefore hidden from the eyes of Parisians for 3 centuries.
On the first Sunday in January, tradition has it that it is the occasion to "shoot the kings" at the epiphany: a bean is hidden in the cake and the person who obtains this bean becomes the king of the day and has the right to wear a fancy crown.
In the Marais, rue François Miron, you can discover two superb gabled houses typical of old Paris, which date from the 15th century. They were completely restored in 1967 to bring back the half-timbered areas, the medieval-style shops and the gables.
After the gigantic fire that devastated London in 1666, an ordinance obliged Parisians to cover their facades with plaster to limit the spread of fire, and gables, which also favored fires, were banned. Covered with plaster, these facades were therefore hidden from the eyes of Parisians for 3 centuries.
On the first Sunday in January, tradition has it that it is the occasion to "shoot the kings" at the epiphany: a bean is hidden in the cake and the person who obtains this bean becomes the king of the day and has the right to wear a fancy crown.
