Friday 14 February 2014

A Trip to Paris - Blog 4 - Pest Control


We stayed at the Novotel Les Halles, in the 1st arr. Les Halles used to be the main wholesale food market for Paris until it closed in 1970.

Not far from our hotel is this company, Aurouze, in business since 1872. This magnificent shop front is the public side of pest control. The company motto is "Pour une lutte raisonnée contre les nuisibles et parasites" - for a rational fight against pests and parasites.

In the window on the top right, in individual little traps, there are two rows of stuffed rats caught in Les Halles in the twenties. Below is a ring of stuffed rats that look like they are holding a dance. Inside the shop there is a great collection of stuffed animals, birds, insects they have caught, together with traps and snares and other exterminating products.

The shop front looks like it has not been changed since it opened, it must attract a lot of attention from tourists. The company even have a side line selling these postcards.

No comments:

Post a Comment