Couvent des Carmes Billettes

A Classified Historical Monument, the building is small and rectangular; the long side consists of six bays parallel to the church, and (almost) three wide. It adheres to the principles of the Gothic style: the whole space is vaulted with ogives; transversal arches separate each bay. These ogives directly penetrate the supporting structure, composed of strong polygonal pillars. The cloister has some interesting details: the decorative pendant shapes are varied but simple, the arcades are of different sizes and sometimes reduced by three-quarters, the keystones are sometimes finely carved (angels holding a coat of arms, flower buds), sometimes simple (undecorated coat of arms). The clever composition of vaulted ogives expands the confined space. The verticality of the flamboyant style is balanced by the horizontal smooth entablature, the low wall separating the galleries from the paved courtyard.

Historical
According to hearsay the original location of this monastery was the home of a Jew Jonathas, who, accused of boiling a host, was sentenced to death. A chapel was built to commemorate the event.
In 1290 the Frères Hospitaliers de la Charité Notre-Dame moved into the neighbouring buildings. The success of their order was such that they soon founded a monastery. The monastery was built in 1350, but the gradual changes in the surrounding land obliged them to completely renovate the building, as it was located below the street level! Completed in 1427, the cloister adopted a flamboyant style, and it is the only surviving medieval monastery in Paris. In 1633, the Reformed Carmelites, known as ‘Carmelite-billets’ because of the shape of their shoulders, replaced the first monks. Closed in 1790, the monastery was used as a carpentry workshop, and is now associated with a primary school, which holds regular exhibitions there – a real delight!