Anne Daignault, the Paris Correspondent for Secrets of Paris, shares her experience visiting one of the city’s vibrant hidden gems…
Many tourists in Paris might miss the chance to see the exquisite erotic mosaic murals at Aux Belles Poules, a historic former brothel from the Belle Époque era. Five years ago, during a private visit with Heather, I first encountered these stunning artworks, and since then, I’ve been eager to return and delve deeper into this remarkable testament to the city’s extravagant past.
As I walked down Rue Saint-Denis toward Rue Blondel in the 2nd arrondissement, I came across several women—both young and middle-aged—standing by the buildings in hopes of attracting customers. It was a poignant reminder that, although brothels and organized prostitution were banned in 1946, independent sex work remains legal in France.
When I arrived at 32 Rue Blondel, I was warmly welcomed by Caroline Senot, the passionate owner and director of Aux Belles Poules. Upon entering, visitors are immediately captivated by the beautiful mosaic murals that decorate the walls, vividly depicting naked women, satyrs, and hens (since “poule” is French slang for prostitute). Intrigued by the history of this maison close, I felt Caroline’s enthusiasm for preserving and sharing this extraordinary piece of Parisian heritage.
A Hidden Treasure
The story of its discovery is captivating—it’s like an archeologist unearthing treasures from an ancient tomb. This tale began in 2011 when Caroline and her father were searching for office space for their tech business in a neighborhood known as “Silicon Sentier,” famous for its IT startups. The expansive ground-floor space in a nondescript building was covered with unremarkable wooden paneling from the 1970s. A mention of “a few broken tiles” in the deed seemed trivial at the time, so they signed without hesitation.
However, once renovations commenced and the old paneling was stripped away, they uncovered stunning mosaics that had been concealed for decades. Their shock was palpable as they began to reveal the room’s hidden history as a brothel. While a few tiles were cracked, most of the murals and mirrors—some hidden beneath a 1970s drop ceiling—were remarkably well preserved. Further exploration into the building’s history revealed that Aux Belles Poules was one of the most renowned brothels during the Années Folles of the 1920s, where Paris’s elite indulged in festivities with “ladies of pleasure” and endless Champagne. At its peak, the brothel housed as many as 31 women in the approximately twenty rooms located on upper floors, which no longer exist. Aux Belles Poules finally closed in 1948 following the enactment of the Marthe Richard Law, which ordered the closure of all brothels.
Despite her father’s suggestion to proceed with caution, Caroline was determined. She persuaded him to restore the Art Deco mosaics, successfully transforming this former maison close into a charming venue for receptions, corporate events, burlesque dinner shows, and after-work Champagne gatherings. Their promotional material invites guests to “Plongez dans le décor d’une ancienne maison close” (Immerse yourself in the decor of a historic brothel), featuring images of women lounging on blue velvet sofas in exquisite 1920s lingerie.
Not to Glamourize Prostitution
For individuals interested in learning more, Caroline hosts guided tours (in French) to share her deep understanding of the history of prostitution and its brothels in Paris. During these tours, she highlights the contrast between the romanticized fantasies of brothels and the harsh realities faced by the women who worked there. “I invite people to experience the beauty that fueled the imagination and created fantasies about the maisons closes,” she tells me. These establishments, often controlled by organized crime, were referred to as “closed houses” for a reason—women frequently were not allowed to leave freely. Caroline believes that recognizing the fantasies that masked the exploitation of women is an essential part of our history that should not be forgotten. Although today’s visitors may not be misled by the murals, they remain a worthy sight due to their beauty and uniqueness: Aux Belles Poules stands as the only Parisian brothel whose interior decor has survived nearly intact, unlike famous competitors such as Le Sphinx, Le Chabanais, and One Two Two.
Practical Info
Aux Belles Poules
32 Rue Blondel, 2nd
Tel: +33 1 40 15 95 66
“Lecture-Tours” are held twice a month on Saturdays at 5 PM, and the next one is on October 26th, costing €14. The “Spectacle-Lecture-Tours,” featuring actresses dressed in Années Folles period costumes, occur at least once a month, with the next one on October 16th at 7:30 PM costing €25 per person, or €29 with a coupe de Champagne.
All public tours are conducted in French, which is why most English-speaking tourists miss out on exploring this amazing venue. You could easily join a tour just to look around and take photos, but keep in mind that the entire experience takes place in one large room, so soon you’ll have seen everything. Caroline speaks English, so feel free to reach out to her directly if you’d like to arrange a private group tour in English for a quote.
PS. Caroline proposed I take on the role of “Madame of the Brothel” for a night. Should I take her up on it? 😉
Read more articles by Anne Daignault here.
