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Origin and history

Aux Belles Poules is an old house located at 32 rue Blondel, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. This place, emblematic of the history of Parisian prostitution, is distinguished by its facade entirely covered with broken tiles from the 1930s, dominated by red tones on the ground floor. Although the interior is not accessible to the public, it is known for its 1920s ceramic decorations, illustrating erotic scenes and suggestive themes.

The house offered "living paintings", theatrical stagings with erotic connotations, such as the wife wakes up, the naval officers in goguette or the dreaded nun. These performances, typical of the then closed houses, were intended to entertain a clientele in search of fantasies and bold shows.

The building's vestibule, stairway and interior decorations were listed as historic monuments on 26 March 1997. This heritage protection underscores the architectural and cultural importance of the place, a witness to a time when organized prostitution was an integral part of the Parisian landscape. The facade, meanwhile, remains a remarkable example of 1930s decorative art, mixing originality and provocation.

Although closed as a closed house, Aux Belles Poules maintains a mythical aura, evoked in studies on the history of prostitution in France. Its inscription among historical monuments also makes it a subject of interest for researchers in architectural heritage and social history.

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