Built between 1397 and 1407, this is the oldest house in Paris, or at least the oldest it is possible to date. EnVols takes a closer look at this architectural treasure in the heart of the French capital.
This kind of building is rarely found in Paris. And for a good reason, as it dates back to the 15th century. When Haussmann rebuilt the city, very few buildings dating from the Middle Ages survived the grand vision of the great architect. One of the few buildings that is still left standing today is located at 51 rue Montmorency, in the Marais.
As you walk along this narrow street, you’ll come across a three-storey house made of white stone. Its construction stands out for the period, as builders rarely used the local limestone at the time—it was both scarce and extremely expensive. In fact, only palaces and churches typically featured this noble material. Most buildings from the era relied on half-timbering and cob walls instead. Clearly, the person who commissioned this house held significant wealth and status.
The property’s charitable owners
Nicolas Flamel and his wife, Pernelle, owned the property. In 1397, Flamel—a wealthy bourgeois Parisian and writer—chose to build this three-storey house. But he didn’t build it for himself. Instead, he dedicated it to sheltering the poor. He only asked that his guests recite a few prayers in return for their stay.
An inscription carved in Old French on the façade confirms this guiding principle:
‘We, men and women, workers living in the porches of this house that was made in the year of grace one thousand four hundred and seven are, each of us, required by law to say every day one Our Father and one Hail Mary while praying to God that his grace brings forgiveness to the poor deceased sinners, amen.’
A house filled with mystery
Nicolas Flamel was no ordinary man. According to legend, he discovered the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone—the power to transform so-called “base” metals into precious ones, like turning lead into gold. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for the discipline we now call alchemy.
Before the Age of Enlightenment, alchemy and chemistry existed as one, blending science with esoteric thought. Within this context, Flamel earned his reputation as an alchemist. The façade of his home still displays enigmatic symbols and cryptic inscriptions—messages he left behind that time has not erased and that continue to puzzle scholars and visitors alike.
Inside, time appears to have stood still. The period furniture instantly transports visitors six centuries into the past. Some like to imagine that the Philosopher’s Stone might still be hidden somewhere within the house. But if you’re curious to explore it for yourself, keep in mind that the building now hosts a restaurant—L’Auberge Nicolas Flamel—owned by Michelin-starred chef Alan Geaam and run by chef Grégory Garimbay.