Just read THIS fascinating old article on the 2008 fire at Paris’ famous taxidermy establishment, Deyrolle. I’ve yet to visit and am dying to see all its beasts and butterflies in person. The collection began in 1831 and since the fire has been lovingly restored thanks to the efforts of Prince Louis Albert de Broglie (pictured at top), Hermès, Christie’s, and the French Army. I know some find it repulsive, but I definitely have an odd fascination with taxidermy. Wes Anderson does too.
I’m curious how you feel about it ladies—intrigued or horrified?
(image one, two, and three)
I’m not a huge fan of taxidermy, I think it is a little odd, Norman Bates or something. haha. But, I am from a small hunting town and most of my friends had deer, bear rugs, and mountain lions in their home..so I am not repulsed by it just not my favorite. :)
Stevi — That is so cool! Where I grew up in California such things were pretty much unheard of. Mountain lions?! Yikes! XO
Ooh great question – it’s funny because in actuality i find taxidermy a bit creepy…but i find myself coming across pictures of rooms that i like that have these strange creatures in them. so i think it’s one of those – it’s much better in fantasy than reality for me!
Piper — Well said. It’s one thing to see them from afar, but another to have them in your living room : ) XO
Ooh, I hate to admit that I have a fascination with taxidermy as well. Only so long as it’s vintage, though (I would never buy anything new). And I would also never be OK with buying exotic animals from a taxidermist. It almost makes me sad to see these stuffed zebras and lions sitting in this store in NYC. But I guess if they were vintage, I would be OK with it? Is that hypocritical? A few months ago, I was at a vintage store near Saint Mary’s and came across someone’s stuffed cocker spaniel– now THAT was horrifying!
I wouldn’t say repulsed, though, no offense intended, I DO find it a bit creepy when people “save” the family pooch. Definitely not a look for my home.
I LOVE these pretty butterflies! I’m on the fence about taxidermy. It all looks cool here, but I couldn’t have it in my home. Plus, the kids just watched Jumanji for the first time the other night and I’m sure they would not take kindly to having these beasts in our house, waiting to come alive (they were pretty freaked out)! xoxo
I cannot get enough of taxidermy! Sad but true. The butterflies are my favorite; I’m a wannabe lepidopterist after reading Nabokov for a year straight. Now I dream of going to Paris to visit Taxidermy Paradise. Beso from BA !
I’m neither intrigued or mortified really. It would just feel like someone (or something) was always staring at me.
I agree ladies, no family pets!! XO
Traditional taxidermy, like the racoon mounted on a branch, freaks me out, but I have been wanting to see Deyrolle for so long. It is amazing how they recovered from their fire, I so long to see the insects and beautifully preserved wildlife.
Erin — Glad to find another Deyrolle fan. We’ll both have to go someday and compare notes! XO
I kind of find them more fascinating than horrifying. The taxidermy peacocks from about a week ago are really elegant. Is it awful that when I looked at the picture of Wes Anderson and saw the little cheetah cub all I wanted to do was pet it and speak baby talk to it?
Lauren — haha I have that impulse too, we can be weird together. And so glad you liked the peacocks, I thought they were strangely awesome as well. XOXO
thanks so much for your comment. And yes; we’re trying to get cuter every day ;)
Kayla — Love it : ) Keep at it! XO
omg. absolutely love it!!!!! those butterflles are soooo pretty.
have a great weekend pretty girl.
:)
That’s crazy. I love Wes Anderson. Fantastic Mr. Fox is on DVD now, I’m so excited! Thanks for the comment. (:
Oh btw, loooove your blog! (: Now a follower!
Ashlina — Have a great weekend as well missy!
Christina — Ohhh I’ve been dying to see Fantastic Mr. Fox, thanks for the heads up!! And glad you like the blog, I’m touched : )
I JUST learned about how taxidermy works on a howstuffworks podcast today. Apparently a standing bear will only run you about $2000. One winter when I was young I found a perfectly frozen cat in my backyard and my mom made me dispose of it. Needless to say I was pretty traumatized and have no desired to be around mounted animals.
My grandparents had a lot of taxidermy items (is that what you call them- ha!), my grandpa was a hunter. Taxidermy animals just scare me. However, I also worked in the North Carolina dept of Agriculture’s insect museum while I was in college and mounted insects are fascinating to me. I’m weird that way ;o)
Ashley — Yay for NPR! Making John download that podcast for me. He’s an NPR podcast addict. I’ve always wondered how they do it!! XO
Jenny — So cool! I wish my grandparents had taxidermy, no such luck. And I like insects too, that are dead and mounted under glass that is : ) XO
I think it’s wrong… I do like mounted insects, but any other animal is just creepy to me…
have a great weekend!
I could do without the animals… but the butterflies? I die for those.
Stefan and I made a visit to Deyrolle while we were in Paris and it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. Since they had to renovate after the fire, everything looks new. I was expecting a dusty old haunt. But it was still cool and they had some birds that we liked but they cost as much as the Lanvin bracelets and you know which one won out!
Heather — You crack me up. I suppose the Lanvin bracelets were easier to transport than a stuffed bird : )
Deyrolle is one of my all-time favourite shops in Paris. I started my son’s fascination with taxidermy when I bought him a giant green insect there. He now has piranhas, a sparrow hawk, various butterflies, beetles, a bat and a giant turtle (over 100 years old, apparently that makes it pc). Luckily anything larger is ridiculously expensive, so no stuffed zebras in our house.
I too have a strange affinity for taxidermy, particularly restored skeletal remains. It sounds terrible, but I think bones are just lovely…their simple lines and symmetry. For valentine’s day last year my husband gave me a beautiful boar skull…it sits on our mantel and I just love it.
kaite, i visited an exhibition about the fire at the store last fall, and deyrolle is absolutely magical (not as creepy as one would imagine!).
you should definitely check out the book with photographs from the fire, detailed here:
http://www.parisbao.com/art/deyrolle-where-the-wild-things-are-again/
I am kind of intrigued and horrified in equal measure! I don’t think I”d want any in my own home, but I can see the appeal. I’m a HUGE fan of natural history museums and the like. Deyrolle sounds fascinating, thanks for the link!
Ew.
Cashmere Librarian — I’ll take that as a no… XO Katie
I can handle the insects and butterflies-I think they are beautiful. But the mammals are a little intense.
oh i have ALWAYS been totally intrigued by this place and was devastated when it burned down. i have to say…i’m a fan of taxidermy though….it can be really quite beautiful!
funny- i just listened to that “how stuff works” podcast today too. I checked out the site they mentioned : http://crappytaxidermy.com which has all sorts of crazy taxidermy turned art. i heart taxidermy, and definitely loving this get up:
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxp1qmFDou1qa0o2to1_500.jpg
kate, i love your blog and its great to see what a fabulous life you have made for yourself. I think we have both come a long way since we were neighbors on Tamarisk :)
Ashley!!! Oh my goodness—SO good to hear from you! I love that you have a blog too…off to read it now! XOXO
Not a huge fan of the taxidermy. It doesn’t really offend me, but it’s just not for me.
I do like the butterflies, though! Is that really considered taxidermy??
I have to admit I like Deyrolles a lot..before and after the fire. It fascinates and is definitely worth the trip. But I do think a little original taxidermy goes a long way..and I don’t like contemporary taxidermy, just let’s use the old stuff and leave it at that…
I posted on Deyrolles a while back too…and have known Louis Albert for twenty years..he also has a wonderful chateau in the Loire Valley and grows heirloom tomatoes!
Thrilled to find your very interesting and cool blog!
Kit
My dear,
I waltzed you by Deyrolles to oogle at the windows in 2002!! You have forgotten! Quel domage!
But I’ll bet you didn’t forget Mssr. Yves St. Laurent, le Rolls Royce, and zee full moon over the Boulevard St. Germaine!
Abiento, mon cherie! xxoo -S.