Standing before you, nestled in the heart of the ancient Marais district, is the Maison à l’enseigne du Mouton, also known as the House of the Ram. This beautifully preserved structure, dating back to the early 16th century, stands as a testament to centuries of Parisian history.
The Maison à l’enseigne du Mouton, along with its neighbor, the Maison à l’enseigne du Faucheur (House of the Reaper), are among the oldest surviving residences in all of Paris. They were built in the 14th century and were later enhanced in the 16th century. Each of these buildings was once identified not by numbers, but by their shop signs. These signs were usually a reflection of the commercial activity conducted on the ground level. The Maison à l’enseigne du Mouton likely served as an inn, its name a nod to the sheep that were frequently seen in the area.
Although they are both classified as Historical Monuments, the Maison à l’enseigne du Mouton and its neighbor were nearly lost in the 19th century. During this time period, the Baron Haussmann, head of the Prefecture of the Seine, undertook vast reconstruction projects across Paris. His goal was to modernize the city, but these changes resulted in the tearing down of a significant portion of the city’s historic architecture. The Marais, thankfully, managed to escape the destructive reach of Haussmann’s “modernization.”
Today, these buildings stand as beacons of the past. Step back in time, and imagine the life of a Parisian family dwelling within these walls.