Neuf Sœurs
Tucked away on Rue Cadet in Paris, the Museum of Freemasonry may be modest in size, but it offers a captivating historical journey.
Born in Great Britain, Freemasonry found its foothold in France around the 1720s.
The first lodge convened at the Huré eatery on Rue des Boucheries, now encompassed by the Rue de l’Ecole de médecine and Boulevard Saint-Germain.
While there were active Freemasons during the Revolution, such as Mirabeau and Choderlos de Laclos, the Empire era proved especially favorable.
At Rue Cadet, history comes to life through a collection of objects, portraits, and documents.
Among the most remarkable items is an original edition of the Anderson's Constitutions, the foundational text of modern Freemasonry.
You'll also find intriguing artifacts like Lafayette's Masonic sword, once wielded by the Venerable Master himself.
Explore Masonic aprons belonging to luminaries like Voltaire (a member of the illustrious Neuf Sœurs Lodge, along with Benjamin Franklin) and the renowned artist Hugo Pratt.
The museum also playfully displays a photograph of a momentous encounter between two famous Freemasons, Winston Churchill and Pierre Mendès France, along with a stunning collection of 18th-century faience adorned with Masonic motifs.
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