Maigret's Paris

In 75 novels and numerous short stories, through all weathers and across five decades, Chief Inspector Maigret crisscrossed the streets of Paris, unflappable in his pursuit of villainy.

The creation of Belgian-born Georges Simenon (1903-1989), Maigret is among the best-known and loved characters in detective fiction, translated into more than 50 languages, with numerous film and television adaptations.

In this guide, we plot the city Maigret knew, including his home on Boulevard Richard-Lenoir, the Police Judiciaire at Quai des Orfèvres, Gare du Nord, where the body of Pietr the Latvian is found in the first Maigret novel. Where Simenon has used his imagination, we suggest real-world sources – there never was a Brasserie Dauphine from which Maigret would order sandwiches and beer when working on a difficult case, instead we suggest its likely inspiration.

For the reader at home, Maigret’s Paris is a companion to the books. For the visitor to Paris, it’s a practical guide.