🕰️ The Little Story: The Treasure of Rue Mouffetard (1938) 🏺💰
In 1938, at 53 rue Mouffetard in Paris, an extraordinary discovery disrupts the daily life of a demolition site. In a 17th-century building, workers come across a hiding place carefully concealed in a wall. Inside: more than 3,000 gold coins , a true historical treasure.
A treasure trove of history
This treasure is mainly composed of gold louis, half-louis and double-louis , emblematic coins of the 18th century. The majority of them date from the reign of Louis XV . These coins, in an excellent state of preservation, bear witness to the monetary practices of the time and the historical upheavals.
In addition to the coins, a handwritten will was found. Written by Louis Nivelle , squire and secretary to the King, he designated this treasure as being intended for his daughter, Anne-Louise-Claude Nivelle . Unfortunately, Louis Nivelle died before he could reveal the existence of this hiding place to his descendant.
Why was this treasure hidden? Was it a precaution against an uncertain situation or simply a way to keep these goods safe? The mystery remains.
What happened to the treasure?
After its discovery, the treasure was inventoried by the authorities. In accordance with current legislation, part was awarded to the workers who discovered the cache, another to the city of Paris , and the rest to the identified heirs of the Nivelle family.
Today, some of the coins are on display at the Musée de la Monnaie de Paris , allowing visitors to admire these fascinating witnesses of the past. The rest are said to have been sold at auction or acquired by private collectors.
Mouffetard Street, a story in itself
Rue Mouffetard, located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, is one of the oldest streets in the capital. Steeped in history, it dates back to Gallo-Roman times and was a place of commerce and lively life for centuries. The discovery of this treasure adds another layer to the historical aura of this iconic district.
A treasure among so many others?
This discovery is a reminder that Paris is full of mysteries buried beneath its streets, walls and ancient buildings. Each urban construction site has the potential to reveal a forgotten fragment of history, a piece of the puzzle of the capital's rich past.
💬 Did you know that Mouffetard Street hid such a secret?
- The discovery of the treasure of rue Mouffetard in Paris on the front page of the newspaper Excelsior, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4611005w/f1.item
- Louis XV with a headband, 1755, by Philippe Pescatore, CC BY 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18088067