the house of nicolas flamel, at no. 52, which was built in 1407 by nicolas flamel himself still stands, the oldest stone house in paris, at 51 rue de montmorency; the ground floor, always a tavern, currently houses the auberge nicolas flamel. nicolas flamel, a scrivener and manuscript-seller who developed a reputation as an alchemist, claimed that he made the philosopher's stone which turns lead into gold, and that he and his wife pernelle achieved immortality. engraved images were discovered during recent works on this house.