They are considered
among the most beautiful public baths in France
, a treasure of Art Nouveau and the Belle Epoque.
After twelve years of closure,
the famous 'Lavatory' in Place de la Madeleine reopens in Paris
, which at the time of its inauguration - in 1905 - was among the first public toilets in France and Europe.
The Madeleine baths are located on the side of the church of the same name built on the model of an ancient Greek temple, between Place de la Concorde and Boulevard Haussmann, in the heart of the capital.
A real journey through time, among Art Nouveau mosaics, mahogany boiseries, colored glass windows and majolica tiles with soft green motifs.
Inaugurated on February 14 - on Valentine's Day - the Madeleine baths are now open again to the public for a fee of 2 euros.
A Parisian "jewel of heritage", writes the councilor for culture, Karen Taieb, on Twitter, evoking a place that embodies luxury, beauty, and practicality.
The '2theloo' company which has been attributed with the management of the underground site has carried out the internal restorations, while the mosaics of the external staircase are still waiting to be cleaned on behalf of the municipality.
Paris is also looking for a 'sciuscià' who can occupy the space dedicated to cleaning and polishing shoes: a large raised chair on a small ad hoc stage, also restored for the occasion.
With 750 public toilets and urinals, Paris claims to be the first city in the world "in terms of sanitary facilities in public space".
Most are free, with the exception of a few 'Lavatory' entrusted to private companies in particularly touristic areas such as Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, the avenue des Champs-Elysées.
In the capital of France twinned with Rome, one last example of 'Vespasiano' from the early 20th century is still in perfect working order.
The circular cabin is located along the Boulevard Arago, on the left bank of the Seine, for anyone who wants to try the experience of a 'pee d'antan..'.