| Lavatory Madeleine | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to the Lavatory Madeleine, 2023 | |
 | |
| Type | Public toilet |
| Etymology | La Madeleine, Paris |
| Location | Place de la Madeleine, 8th arrondissement of Paris, France |
| Coordinates | 48°52′11″N 02°19′29″E / 48.86972°N 2.32472°E |
| Built | 1905 |
| Built for | Établissements Porcher |
| Restored | 1989–1990, 2022–2023 |
| Architectural style(s) | Art Nouveau |
| Owner | City of Paris |
| Type | Inscribed |
| Designated | 16 March 2011 |
| Reference no. | PA75080008 (Mérimée) |
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).
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search