In Paris:where gold-painted lions share a drink with Bacchus

Standing at the corner of Rue Jean-Poulmarch and Rue des Vinaigriers in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, À l’Enseigne du Lion d’Or cuts a distinctive figure, its golden lion emblem, outdoor seating, and wrought-iron grilles making it a beacon in an urban landscape. The café’s origins lie in the 19th century, and the entrance takes you back to that time, the double-paned glass door protected by another wrought-iron grille adorned with a golden-painted lion – a Medici lion – standing on a globe.

(The lion once walked on two legs, but that detail is not mentioned in the source material. The entrance is framed by pilasters with figurative chapitels, each bearing a depiction of the head of the god Bacchus and his attributes: grapes and vine leaves. Elements such as the pinecone, Bacchus, grapes, and vine leaves are historically associated with wine. The café faces the Récollets lock on the Canal Saint-Martin, its quiet waterway a stark contrast to the energetic atmosphere of the bustling city community nearby.

(The canal was constructed later than the café, but it is still a notable feature of the area. Built in the 19th century, A l'Enseigne du Lion d’Or was listed as a historical monument by 1984, as part of Paris's preservation efforts.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons