Episode 15. The Bloody Barber of Rue des Marmousets

Growing up in London I was familiar with the story of Sweeny Todd the bloody barber of fleet street who would cut more than your hair before despatching you to his neighbour Mrs Lovatt to turn you into a pie. So imagine my surprise when, on moving to Paris I discover that they have claimed this story as their own. Sweeny Pierre maybe? But who really came up with the story? Is it based on any truth? And how do the French and English stories differ? 

Transcript

• Music: 
• The Owl, Dance Nostalgique
• Stanley Holloway, Sweeney Todd the Barber
• Kevin MacLeod, Sonata
• Blue Dot Sessions, Pacing
• Kevin MacLeod, Backed Vibes Clean
• Blue Dot Sessions, Lemon and Melon.

Entrance to Cloisters of Notre Dame

17 rue Chanoinesse

another suposed addresso of the terrible two.

12 Rue Chanoinesse

one of the addresses where it allegedly all took place. 

Map of Ile de La Cité

if you look closely you can see here that rue des Marmousets was for the most part completely destroyed and thus impossible for our barber and baker to be at either 12 or 17 rue Chanoinesse. 

Tombstones used as paving stones.

Saint Jean Le Rond

notice that it is attached to Notre Dame