The dark Parisian tale that inspired Sweeny Todd
While Halloween is slowly creeping into French culture (see also: Is Halloween a Thing in Paris?), it’s still not as widely celebrated as in Anglophone countries. So, if you don’t get your fill of spookiness on the 31st, here’s a tale that’s guaranteed to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Macabre pastries
At the end of the 14th century, a small bakery on the Île de la Cité, just behind Notre Dame, was famous for its meat pastries. They were said to be the best in the kingdom. So good, in fact, that even King Charles VI reportedly couldn’t resist them. The secret ingredient? Human flesh.
According to legend, the baker had a sinister accomplice: his neighbor, a barber, who lured unsuspecting victims, often foreign students with no family nearby, into his chair and slit their throats. The bodies were then discreetly sent through a trapdoor to the baker, who chopped them up and stuffed them into his pies.
Unmasked by a dog
This gruesome operation went unnoticed from 1384 to 1387, until one clever dog started howling in front of the bakery. His master hadn’t returned from a barber appointment, and the dog’s persistent cries alerted the neighbors and authorities.
When the police investigated, they discovered a cellar of horrors, complete with a chopping block used to dismember the victims. The barber and baker were convicted and burned alive in public, their houses razed to the ground.
A story that captured the spotlight
Whether this ghastly tale is fact or legend remains uncertain, but it certainly inspired the musical Sweeney Todd. For an extra chill, you can even visit the site where it supposedly happened: 20 Rue Chanoinesse. Happy Halloween!
PS: There’s nothing scarier than the lines at the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel Tower. For a truly relaxed, local experience, rely on your Parisian experts. We’ll craft an itinerary tailored to your interests, filled with the city’s best-kept secrets and top addresses. Tell us more about your upcoming trip!
