By the time Freemans brought taxidermy to the Manhattan masses, Deyrolle had already been using dead animals to woo clients for over 170 years. Established in 1831, Paris’ much-loved temple to taxidermy (and other “natural curiosities”) is, for many Parisians, a place where childhood dreams—and a few nightmares—come to life.

When a fire consumed the shop in the winter of 2008, many feared that the destruction was insurmountable and the death of the institution inevitable. But thanks to the combined fundraising efforts of art collectors, local financiers, French luxury brands, and other Deyrolle loyalists, the shop has been nearly fully restored over the past year.

In April, the “cabinet de curiosités” re-opened, and over the course of the coming year, it will serve as an exhibition space for artists whose work explores the natural world. The first exhibition—Touché par le Feu (Touched by Fire)—aptly features French photographer Martin d’Orgeval’s photos of the Deyrolle fire’s aftermath. In a powerful homage to the items that were destroyed, his photos smolder with quiet intensity, exploring the paradoxes that Deyrolle has always embodied—the space between life and death, between dream and reality, between science and art.

Thanks to d’Orgeval’s discerning eye, we can rest assured that the fire that threatened to destroy our beloved Deyrolle will soon be just a small piece of the shop’s enduring story.

D’Orgeval’s photos are on display (and on sale) at Deyrolle through May 6th. His book, also entitled Touché par le Feu is on sale as well.

Deyrolle 46 rue du Bac 75007, Paris. Tel : + 33 (0) 1 42 22 30 07 | Hours: 10am-7pm (Tues-Sat), 10am-1pm and 2pm-7pm (Mon). Closed Sundays.