2 November, 2006 | Leave a Comment

As I wandered around my neighborhood over the past few weeks, I became intrigued by rue Beautreillis. It’s only three blocks long, but I explored it and took photos and returned several times. It was only last night that I discovered the street is rather famous for its connection to everyone’s favorite dead American rock star in Paris.

I was interested in rue Beautreillis because there is a façade from an old hotel on the street. Two giant doors are all that is left of the Hotel Jean Louis Raoul:

The doors are striking to see in person — and it’s so odd that they’ve been left there. The whole scene is strange and beautiful and romantic. (You can see a side view here.) The street also attracted me because it’s sort of desolate and creepy, especially on the weekends. There are very few pedestrians or cars around and you can walk in the middle of the street and take pictures:

I decided to do a little internet research into the mysterious hotel doors and a search of “rue Beautreillis” revealed that Jim Morrison had lived at #17. I was quite shocked to discover this. He died in the bathtub in his apartment there on 3rd July, 1971, at the age of 27. (Or did he?)

I’ve walked by this building several times without realizing its infamy. I’ve never seen anyone else around there taking photos. I guess all the Morrison fans are at Père Lachaise (which, incidentally, is not that far from here). I have to admit I was skeptical that this was where he died until I saw it on the death certificate.

Across the street from 17 rue Beautreillis, at #18, is a restaurant that was frequented by Morrison and his girlfriend, where he ate one of his last meals. (It used to be called Restaurant Le Beautreillis):

It’s hard to imagine Jim Morrison lived in this neighborhood, particularly on this street. It’s very low-key and quiet, but I guess that’s what he wanted. Apparently, he spent a lot of time walking around and exploring the Marais — it’s an addictive habit. Funnily enough, I’ve developed a wee obsession with doors recently and rue Beautreillis and an adjoining street, rue Charles V, have some amazing doors, like these and these. Jim Morrison must have walked by the aforementioned hotel doors all the time — my favorite doors in all of Paris.

Tags: Jim Morrison, The Doors, 17 rue Beautreillis, smack

1. Comments RSS | TrackBack URI

1. caroline Says:

   November 3rd, 2006 at 3:38 am

   How very interesting. That’s quite the pun to stumble across.

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website