10 Villains Associated with Paris

Throughout history, every city has had its share of controversial figures or those deemed as “villains” by the public or historians. Paris, with its rich and tumultuous history, is no exception. Here are ten individuals associated with Paris who, at various times, were considered villains, either due to their actions, beliefs, or roles they played in certain events. Some of these figures remain controversial, and perspectives on them might vary:

1. Maximilien Robespierre – A key figure during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. He was responsible for the execution of thousands, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, before eventually meeting the same fate.
2. Henri Désiré Landru – Often compared to the fictional character Bluebeard, Landru was a notorious serial killer who preyed on women during World War I.
3. Gilles de Rais – A companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc, he was later convicted as a child murderer, although there are still debates about the validity of the charges.
4. Pierre Laval – A politician and twice the head of the Vichy government during World War II. He collaborated with Nazi Germany and was instrumental in the deportation of Jews from France.
5. Marshall Philippe Pétain – The leader of Vichy France who collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.
6. Eugène François Vidocq – A criminal turned private investigator. His early life was marked by crime and prison escapes, but he later became the head of the world’s first known private detective agency.
7. Jacques de Molay – The last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. While not necessarily a villain, he was charged with heresy and other crimes by King Philip IV of France and was burned at the stake.
8. Madame de Brinvilliers – A French aristocrat famous for her series of murders, she was an early serial killer and poisoner.
9. The Papin Sisters – Christine and Léa Papin were French maids who murdered their employer’s wife and daughter in Le Mans in 1933. The crime was shocking and received widespread media attention.
10. Doctor Marcel Petiot – A serial killer during World War II, Petiot is suspected of murdering Jews who sought his assistance in escaping the Nazis.