Naked trees, walls...

The inscription on the wall, which you can now read, when the leaves have fallen, is HP. This corresponds obviously to what this building first was, a “Hôtel Populaire”. “Populaire” must here be understood not as a popular hotel, but as a hotel for people with limited resources, some kind of a charity establishment.  The building from 1910 was originally financed by a rich widow, who wanted to compensate for her late husband’s rather dubious affairs. This was one of several buildings she donated. It was originally inhabited by young men, but was for obvious and unfortunate reasons emptied during WWI, became a war hospital and was after the war for some time occupied by some ministry.

The widow in question also wanted the inhabitants to adopt some good manners, including a good hygiene. Over the front door we can see a bas-relief with a woman who offers a clean handkerchief … 

In 1926 the building was, after an important subscription campaign, purchased by the Salvation Army and became a home for women with limited resources. Originally there were some 630 rooms. It has later been modernised and now offers some 280 “studios” for women, some special accommodations for women with particular difficulties and also a few family lodgings.  

It goes under the name “Palais de la Femme” (The Women's Palace)…

… so it was with a strange feeling that I entered. 

Well, I immediately deviated to a large room and a temporary exhibition of art books – some friends were presenting their works. The large room had some nice wall decorations.   

You can find the building at 94 rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris.