D-Day, Paris »2004.06.04:
Deyrolle, Paris.
The first floor sells mostly high-end gardening tools. I asked the woman behind the counter if there was anything upstairs.
"Oh yes," she said. "Many strange things."
There is a gallery with these photos and 13 more.
Wow, what a neat find, David.
Posted by: jkottke at June 4, 2004 06:25 AMThose animals look so real... so why were they collecting these again? ... or was it some sort of exhibit...
Posted by: Peter at June 4, 2004 10:27 AMOMG. The dinner party is surreal.
Posted by: Mike at June 4, 2004 03:09 PMExcellent! Glad you took these.
Posted by: whileseated at June 4, 2004 04:08 PMPeter: Edited auto-translation from the site of the store's current owners:
"Deyrolle, the school of nature
From the Canadian moose to the delicate stick insects of Malaysia, from the frog skeleton to the blue morpho fluo [butterfly], from the amethyst géode to the mother-of-pearl shell, all that is gathered at Deyrolle in the ambiance of a cabinet of curiosities is for education in the things of nature. This house, unique in Europe, has not failed in its teaching vocation since it was founded in 1831 by Emile Deyrolle, who was crazy about the natural sciences. In the Rue de Bac since 1881, Deyrolle still sells the posters formerly intended for the teaching of botany, zoology and human anatomy. The hunters of butterflies still find all their specialized material, and the collections of butterflies and insects unceasingly renewed know a true passion; minerals and fossils fill the hundreds of drawers and the lifelike animals are true stars here."
The large animals are apparently for rent. You know, for parties, or if you feel the need for a furry friend.
Posted by: David at June 4, 2004 05:23 PMOMG... those animals... are they taxidermied ones or fakes?
Posted by: ady at June 4, 2004 10:35 PM@David: Amazing! All in the name of education I see... well perhaps part eccintricity. :)
Posted by: Peter at June 6, 2004 11:59 AM