French Literature Reviews - 2026

B. Matot, Paris occulte. Alchimistes de l'ombre, spirites inspirés, mages sulfureux, traqueurs de fantômes et astrologues visionnaires
History, Politics and Society

Occult Paris.

Shadowy alchemists, inspired spiritualists, flamboyant mages, ghost hunters, and visionary astrologers

Bertrand Matot

Publication date: 20/09/2018
Publisher: Parigramme
ISBN: 978-2-37395-073-1
EAN: 9782373950731
No. of pages: 128 p.

While Paris has always maintained a dialogue with spiritual forces, it was in the mid-19th century that fascination with the occult sciences reached unprecedented heights. From high-society salons to the Tuileries Palace—where Napoleon III attempted to make contact with his uncle—table-turning became a popular method for communicating with the afterlife and spirits.

While alchemists secluded themselves in their studies, esoteric writers, mediumistic artists, spirit photographers, magnetizers, and spiritualist feminists developed a passionate interest in the supernatural.

At the same time, distinguished scientists investigated specters in their laboratories, and eccentric figures engaged in black masses. From the Great War to the German Occupation, the occult craze was fueled by an array of extraordinary personalities driven by a yearning for magic and mysticism. The visions of these mages continued to flourish in literature, art, the press, and politics: astrologers, clairvoyants, fakirs, soothsayers, and oracles emerged as the gurus of modern times.

A journalist by training, Bertrand Matot has worked in television. An independent researcher and history enthusiast, he has published several works, including La Guerre des cancres, with a preface by Patrick Modiano.

The history of esoteric practices in urban centers forms a rich chapter in the study of cultural history and popular mentalities during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Works examining occultism, spiritualism, and alternative belief systems often investigate how rapid modernization and social upheaval stimulate renewed interest in mysticism and the supernatural. In this context, the French capital has long served as a prominent crossroads for secret societies, alternative sciences, and unconventional spiritual movements that intersected with mainstream intellectual and artistic life.

Bertrand Matot has published several works, including La Guerre des cancres, with a preface by Patrick Modiano. Readers interested in the history of esoteric beliefs and urban subcultures in France may find it a relevant overview.