This building may look unassuming, but it holds a rather spirited past. This is the former Usine Clacquesin, once the heart of production for a drink that took Paris by storm in the early 20th century. Clacquesin, a unique blend of Norwegian pine tar, spices, and a secret recipe of herbs, was the brainchild of Paul Clacquesin, who took over his father-in-law’s distillery around 1860. The drink, touted as a “hygienic tar,” won a medal at the 1900 Paris World Fair. It became so popular that the original production site in Paris couldn’t keep up. So, in 1903, it moved here to Malakoff.
Imagine the activity within these walls as millions of bottles were produced each year. Pauline, Paul’s wife, was a marketing genius, securing endorsements from stars like Josephine Baker and Maurice Chevalier. This wasn’t just a factory, it was a testament to ambition, ingenuity, and a darn good drink! Though World War II brought production to a halt, the Usine Clacquesin remains a fascinating echo of a bygone era. Today, although the drink is still made elsewhere, the building stands as a reminder of its vibrant history.