lavatory

SARRERA DESBERDINA:

Lavatory Madeleine

The Lavatory Madeleine is a public toilet on Place de la Madeleine (next to La Madeleine) in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was built in 1905 to showcase a new type of underground public toilet. It was the first of its kind in France, and the most luxurious. Inspiration came from London, where underground public toilets had existed since 1889. Lavatory Madeleine was lavishly decorated in the Art Nouveau style, and equipped with a range of toilet options in different price classes.
Some modifications were made in the 1930s and 1950s, and notably in the 1980s when the men's section was closed and transformed into a service area for telecommunications. A restoration was carried out in 1989–1990. The establishment was closed to the public in 2011. Persistent problems with water leaks in the ceiling prompted a complete restoration in 2022–2023, with the aim of restoring the public toilet to its former appearance. It is today run by an association and visitors can use the lavatory for a fee. It is a designated monument historique (national heritage site).
Towards the end of the 19th century, the increased use of cars together with a proliferation of street furniture made Parisian officials seek an alternative to public toilets that took up surface space. The idea to build underground facilities came from London, where such had been constructed at busy areas such as Wellington Street, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus from 1889.^[1][2][3] In 1891, the Parisian municipal administration initiated a study for an "underground gallery of necessity".^[1] In 1899, a report recommended the construction of underground public toilets at four locations: Place de la Bastille, Boulevard de Strasbourg, Place du Théâtre-Français (present-day Place André-Malraux [fr]) and Place de la Madeleine. The first one to be put into operation was the one at Place de la Madeleine, the Lavatory Madeleine.^[1]
The number of public underground toilets would continue to rise steadily in Paris throughout the 20th century; in 1974, there were 168.^[4] While the first generation of public toilets were decorated in the Art Nouveau style, and those built from the 1920s embellished with Art Deco elements, subsequent public toilet facilities in Paris have tended to be much more simply decorated, probably due to economic reasons.^[5]
The Lavatory Madeleine was the first public underground toilet in France, and the most luxurious of those built.^[2][6] The task of constructing it was granted to the company Établissements Porcher, established in 1886 and specialised in manufacturing bathroom and sanitary equipment. The company employed a cabinetmaker, a master glassmaker and a mirror maker to provide the details. Mahogany panelling, decorated ceramic tiles, glazed bricks, mosaic, and decorated stained glass windows were installed. In addition, the toilets were equipped with modern facilities such as electrical lighting, hydraulic fans, ventilation, and concrete covered with waterproof coating.^[2][7] The original plans included several levels of luxury in different price categories, both for men and women: on the men's side there were three "luxury toilets" with hot water sinks, but also 22 stall urinals. On the side reserved for women, the toilets ranged in price from free to use, to four luxury toilets equipped with bidets and private sinks, which were available for the cost of 20 centimes.^[6] The establishment also housed a custodian's office and, in the part reserved for men, a chair and space for shoeshiners.^[6]
The reasons for the lavish decoration were partly commercial; Établissements Porcher owned exhibition rooms nearby, and it was built to show-case the type, with the hope that it would lead to the establishment of many more.^[6]
Recurring issues with water penetrating the ceiling led to modifications in 1937, and again in 1950. As early as 1984, the Chief Architect of Historic Monuments drew attention to the "picturesque interest" of the place and the benefits of preserving it.^[8] A major change was made in 1987, when the men's side was closed and redeveloped into a service area for telecommunications. The telecommunications equipment has remained; subsequent changes have only affected the former women's area.^[9] A partial restoration was carried out in 1989–1990, whereby many of the Art Nouveau features were brought back, both inside and outside. Some modern elements were also introduced such as turnstiles and hand dryers, and much of the older equipment was replaced with modern equipment. In 2011, the facility was closed to the public and designated a monument historique (national heritage site).^[2][10] Water leaking through the ceiling again led to further deterioration. A restoration was therefore carried out in 2022–2023, with the aim of returning the public toilet to its original appearance.^[11] The establishment is run by an association and there is a €2 charge to use the facilities.^[12] Visiting without using the facilities is free.^[13]