In Paris, the Madeleine public toilets are being transformed into a tourist attraction

At the foot of the Madeleine Church, Paris (8^e), a group of retirees hang out at the metro’s trompe-l’oeil entrance. Some rush into it and run down the stairs, ignoring the mosaic tiles and the emblematic arabesques of the Art Nouveau style. They pay 2 euros to satisfy their needs. But most of them take time. Two men in thin jackets and hiking boots walk around the place, scrutinizing its details, taking photos, feeling the cushions of the stairs, looking at the toilets without using them. Daniel Morin, a 78-year-old retiree who came to the neighborhood for lunch, is tanning, leaning against the entrance ramps. Nostalgic, this Parisian is excited about the reopening of the “toilet”: “It reminds me of the beautiful past of Paris, which I loved. »

A discreet sign at the entrance announces the presence of these toilets, which are modeled after English “toilets”. The universal pictogram of public toilets refers to the infrastructure of the city of Paris. Its translation into English, Chinese and Spanish also confirms the tourist appeal of this place. Sociologist Julien Damon, author Public toilets. An essay on urban comfort (Les Presses de Sciences Po, 210 pages, 16 euros), recalls that they were created in the Paris underground at the beginning of the 20th century.^e century, for “to correct the outrageous visibility of men relieving themselves on the surface and the resulting excessive excess”.

Listed as a historical monument in 2011, the toilets have recently been restored. for Paris City Hall, “Beautification of Place Madeleine, the Notre Dame fire and the Covid-19 period delayed the operation”. The works lasted almost a year, the total cost was 390,000 euros. The site owner city took care of the site sealing guarantee (240,000 euros). For this, the glass blocks, the ceiling, from which daylight enters, are consolidated. The Dutch company 2theloo, which specializes in toilet management, was chosen for the interior restoration (150,000 euros). Fittings, locksmithing, woodwork sanding and stained glass cleaning were carried out to refresh the integrity.

“Real time travel”

“What makes this place special are the stained glass windows, the woodwork, the mosaics and everything that makes us feel like we’re in the Belle Epoque!” », the surprised lady from the group of pensioners, Jacqui Garcin. The mahogany doors of the cabins are decorated with fir green floral stained glass typical of this period. There is a column of mirrors in the middle of the room. Colored toilet paper and advertisements from the early 20th century^e Century postcards are displayed in the window. The addition of modern cups will go almost unnoticed.