, an 1831-founded cabinet of curiosities. Stepping inside the storied institution is like nothing else, for housed in Deyrolle are many unforgettable objects and artefacts – notably animals, birds and insects preserved through taxidermy – that have been collected by the house since its inception. The pieces are available both to touch and to buy, meaning that Deyrolle strikes a fine balance between existing as a museum, boutique and educational institution.
Education has long played a key role at Deyrolle, since the development of a national science programme and the production of beautifully illustrated instructional charts – many of which feature in– that were distributed in school from the 1800s until the 1970s, and have been recently revived with a focus on preserving the Earth by De Broglie.
Exhibited at Deyrolle today is a piece by Damien Hirst – his own cabinet of curiosities, which pairs pieces from Deyrolle’s archives – mice, shells, skulls and the like – with household cleaning products by Vanish, Dettol and Domestos. The display is both charming and jarring, and a testament to Deyrolle’s strong ties to today’s art world. Even Wes Anderson is a regular visitor to the Rue de Bac boutique – which makes perfect sense once you marvel at its timeless and beguiling interiors.