The last time I was in Paris I made a pilgrimage to see the safari-worthy collection of dead wild game at Deyrolle, I wondered why the world's most famous taxidermy store doesn't charge admission; certainly it holds its own against the city's other best-of-breed museums.
The store, established in 1831 by naturalist Jean-Baptiste Deyrolle (whose son grew up to be an entomologist, by the way), is so beloved that a devastating 2008 fire that destroyed 90 percent of the inventory prompted a national outpouring of sympathy and support. Here's a look, via South Acres Farm, at the results of the successful restoration effort:
Above: Parakeets and parrots—and peacocks— on the store's second floor.
Above: A sample of the educational materials—including a large collection of posters of flora and fauna—with which French schools are stocked.
Above: New paneling in the entomology room. Image by Anders Sandberg, via Flickr.
Above: For more about Deyrolle's large collection of botanical posters, see "Flora and Fauna for the Walls."
Above: After the fire, France's minister of culture asked museums throughout the country to donate wooden display cases.
Above: One collector donated 50 boxes of butterflies.
Above: Image by Anders Sandberg, via Flickr.
Above: The 4,300-square-foot store rebuilt its collection of wild game, including a zebra, a tiger, and a lion.
(N.B.: For three more images of Taxidermy as Decor (why aren't there more: discuss), see our Gallery of rooms and spaces.)