Today, Rue Chanoinesse is one of the quietest little streets on the Île de la Cité. A few historic facades, Notre-Dame just a few meters away, and almost nothing to hint at the macabre history associated with the neighborhood. Yet, a Parisian legend tells that in the Middle Ages, a barber and a pastry chef allegedly turned their victims into pies sold to the neighborhood’s residents.
The story takes place more precisely on the former Rue des Marmousets, which once ran through this part of the island and a section of which was later incorporated into Rue Chanoinesse. Much of its route disappeared in the 19th century with the redevelopment of the Île de la Cité and the construction of the new Hôtel-Dieu.
A barber, a pastry chef, and a particularly gruesome recipe
In the version that has become the most famous, two neighboring shops are said to have worked hand in hand. The barber lured customers into his shop before killing them. Their bodies were then reportedly passed on to the neighboring pastry chef, who used their flesh to fill his pastries.
Other versions mention students living near Notre-Dame, a trapdoor connecting the two shops directly, or even a dog that allegedly helped uncover the fate of its missing owner. The famous pastries were reportedly so popular that no one ever questioned their mysterious recipe.
But the earliest written record dates back to 1612, when Jacques du Breul already reported that an old rumor spoke of a murderous pastry chef on Rue des Marmousets—aided by a barber—who allegedly used human flesh to make his pies. He also writes that the house was reportedly demolished after the crime was discovered and that a column was erected to commemorate the event.
True story or an old Parisian legend?
However, no legal documents have been found to confirm this incident. There is no record of a trial, no names for the two men, and even the date of the alleged crime varies depending on the version of the story.
Even the exact location has become unclear over time. The stalls are sometimes placed at 18–20 Rue Chanoinesse, but research on the former route of Rue des Marmousets shows that this location is disputed. The supposed site of the events is thought to be in an area that has since been profoundly transformed by the Hôtel-Dieu.
Just a few meters from Notre-Dame, in a neighborhood that has been completely transformed since the Middle Ages, Rue Chanoinesse remains associated with one of the most macabre legends of old Paris.
Location: Rue Chanoinesse and the former Rue des Marmousets, 75004 Paris
Access: The street is freely accessible year-round, just a few meters from Notre-Dame de Paris.