Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The pavilion located at 5 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, was built in 1760 on the orders of Antoine de Sartine, then police lieutenant. This building marked the shift from the main entrance of the horse market, originally located on Rue du Marché-aux-chevaux (now Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire Street) from the mid-17th century to the new axis of Boulevard de l'Hôpital. It housed officers responsible for monitoring transactions and arbitrating disputes, including those related to the fraudulent practices of maquignons. Its role was also financial: the buyer deposited the funds, which were only repaid to the seller after eight days, in the absence of a claim.

The architecture of the pavilion is distinguished by a sober but elegant facade, decorated with a wrought iron balcony and surmounted by a carved pediment. The latter represents the arms of France (without fleur de lilies), framed with palms, symbols of peace or victory. The arches of the central window are decorated with animal sculptures (a cock and a crane), while a female mascaron adorns the vault key. These decorative elements, typical of the eighteenth century, highlight the official function of the building. At the beginning of the 20th century, the pavilion was converted into a police station, testifying to its lasting anchor in the Parisian urban landscape.

Ranked a historic monument in 1925 for its facade, the pavilion is now owned by the commune of Paris. Its history reflects the evolution of commercial and police practices in the capital, from the Ancien Régime to the contemporary era. Although its initial use disappeared with the closure of the horse market, its architecture and past make it a notable vestige of the Parisian heritage of the Enlightenment.

External links