This year's Halloween celebration didn't consist of any costumes or pink wigs for me :) but it did include something better ... A Haunted House!
About 6 months ago, Le Manoir de Paris opened up on rue de Paradis (Paradise Street - how ironic) in the 10th arrondissement. It's a place where you can discover the mysteries and legends of Paris all year long. In the spirit of celebrating the dead, the mysteries and legends have come alive for the long weekend. (In France, November 1st, La Toussaint (All Saint's Day), is an observed holiday.)
Here, is a synopsis of the 13 legends, brought to life. Personally, I was quite amused! Although, some of my friends, were a little frightened...
I. The Catacombs of Paris
November 3, 1793, Philibert Aspairt enters the catacombs below the convent of Val de Grâce and never returns... Spooky! Eleven years later, his body is discovered in the tunnels under the street of l'Abbé de l'Epée. His skeleton was identified by a set of keys on his belt. Last week's comment about being stuck in the catacombs forever may actually be a valid fear, although, this did happen centuries ago.
II. The Crocodile in the Paris Sewers
(Believe it or not, this doesn't only happen in Florida)
In March 1984, city workers working in the sewers under the Pont Neuf bridge discovered a Nile Crocodile hiding in the corner a few feet away from them. The Croc somehow found its way to Paris (because of course all crocodiles dream of moving to Paris like me) and was surviving on Parisian rats and trash (fortunately, our diets are not consistent).
III. The Phantom of the Opera
The legend of a disfigured monster terrorizes the Paris' Opéra Garnier. Mysterious events began occurring at the end of the 19th century, accrediting the rumors of the haunted opera house. On May 20, 1886, one of the grand chandelier unhinged and crashed and killed a spectator in the middle of a production of Faust de Gounod. The irony, the spectator was sitting at seat number 13.
IV. The Prisoner in the Iron Mask
On November 19, 1703, the man in the iron mask, died at the Bastille prison after serving 34 years of detention. According to French history, the man in the iron mask is one of the most famous prisoners and his identity still remains a mystery today.
V. The Vampire's Wine Cellar
The Carpathian Mountains may be considered the source of vampire legends, however, Paris has often been the setting of their stories. Among the most known of these are Anne Rice's "Vampire Chronicles", recounting the tale of, Lestat de Lioncourt, a noble Frenchman transformed into a vampire in the 18th century. His famous "Theatre des Vampires" was known to be a hotbed of vampire activity in Paris.
VI. The Paris Metro
On Sunday, May 16, 1937, at 6:30pm, a young woman in a green dress and white hat is found stabbed on line 8 of the Paris metro. Laetitia Toureaux, the only passenger in a first class car collapses as the train pulls into the Porte Dorée station, a knife in the back of her neck... A real life "locked room" mystery, her killer was never found. Hmm, not sure if this is good for me, as I do ride line 8 on a regular basis.
VII. Père Lachaise Cemetery
Père Lacahise cemetery was opened on May 21, 1804 on the former property of Father François de La Chaise d'Aix, confessor of King Louis XIV from 1675 until his death. This cemetery is as known for being the final resting place for many celebrities and its many mysteries. Rumor has it that black masses are regularly held within the gates of the cemetery, and that certain tombs give direct access to the catacombs. Umm, I might have to do some further research into this...
VIII. The Ghost of the Tuileries Gardens
In 1564, Queen Catherine de Medicis acquires property surrounding the Louvre, where she intends to create the palace of the Tuileries. A butcher, named Jean L'Ecorcheur, the Queen's personal hit man, knew too many of her secrets, therefore, Catherine ordered Count de Neuville to assassin the butcher. In his last breath, Jean proclaimed that he would return for his revenge. His ghost is said to still haunt the gardens today.
IX. The Alchemist's Library
The library of an alchemist contains numerous books seeking to uncover the knowledge and secrets of the Philosopher's Stone. One of the most famous alchemist, Nicolas Flamel, was dedicated to finding the key to transform base metals into precious gold or silver.
X. The Bloody Baker
In 1387, a group of foreign exchange students disappeared in Paris. They were the victims of an insane barber who slit their throats and gave their bodies to a neighboring baker. The bodies were finely chopped and turned into pâté, then sold to the unsuspecting customers. Yummy!!! I wonder if this is where Stephen King came up with his inspiration for the book, Thinner.
XI. The Assassin's Cabaret
In Montmartre, Le Lapin Agile, one of the oldest cabaret's in Paris, also known for its famous customers such as as Picasso, Debussy, and Maupassant, was also known as the meeting place for thieves and murderers, and in 1860 was nicknamed, "the Assassin's Cabaret".
XII. Gargoyles and Chimeras
Legend has it that the gargoyles and chimeras of Notre-Dame de Paris come to life at night to scare away evil spirits. Hybrid monsters, half-beast/half-man, these fantastical creatures sculpted from stone are the keepers of good.
XIII. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame de Paris
Quasimodo is the main character of Victor Hugo's famed novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. This frightening, disfigured character, lived in the bell towers of the cathedral, hiding his monstrous appearance from the crowds of the City.
Happy Halloween!!!
