Did you know that a hidden gem lies in plain sight in the Marais district? It’s the remarkable chimney of the former Societé des Cendres. This industrial chimney stands tall a testament to a unique Parisian industry. It’s not easily visible though. You can only see it from a specific spot in the garden of the Hotel de Coulanges.
The Societé des Cendres a company founded in 1859 had a rather unusual business. It was established by 550 shareholders. Their task was to recover precious metals from the waste of jewelers and goldsmiths. They processed the ashes or what they called “cendres” extracting gold silver and platinum.
Initially the company outsourced this work. They later realized that handling the process themselves was more profitable. They moved to 39 rue des Francs-Bourgeois. There in the back of the building they installed a furnace in the basement. A covered courtyard hid it from view. They melted down the residues. An enormous press then crushed the remaining waste.
Years passed and equipment wore out. However the Societé des Cendres relocated to the Parisian suburbs. They later switched to making dental prostheses and orthopedic equipment. Quite a change of business!
Today the building at 39 rue des Francs-Bourgeois is renovated. It houses a Uniqlo store. The chimney however remains a remarkable reminder of the past. It stands as a symbol of the Marais’s rich industrial heritage. The building’s charm reflects its unique history. It allows the neighborhood to remember its glorious past. The site is a hidden architectural treasure. You would never guess such history hides behind a modern storefront.