La Voisin, French occultist (b. 1640)

Unveiling La Voisin: Paris's Notorious Oracle and Poisoner

In the vibrant, yet often shadowy, world of 17th-century Paris, a figure known ominously as "La Voisin" cast a long, dark shadow. Born Catherine Monvoisin, or sometimes Montvoisin, née Deshayes, around 1640, her life tragically concluded on February 22, 1680. Far from a simple street vendor, La Voisin established herself as a multi-faceted and deeply disturbing presence in the French capital. She operated primarily as a highly sought-after French fortune teller, but her notoriety stemmed from far more sinister enterprises: she was a notorious, professional commissioned poisoner and a prominent provider of what was then widely believed to be genuine sorcery.

A Web of Illicit Services for the Parisian Elite

La Voisin was no lone operator; she masterminded and presided over an extensive, clandestine network of fortune tellers in Paris. This sophisticated organization offered a chilling array of services, catering specifically to a clientele that included many members of the discerning, yet often morally compromised, aristocracy. Beyond mere predictions of fate, her network was a one-stop shop for the forbidden: discreetly providing potent poisons, powerful aphrodisiacs, illicit abortions, and a spectrum of other purported magical services. Perhaps most shockingly, La Voisin's enterprise was also responsible for the clandestine arranging of black masses, rituals steeped in heresy and dark superstition. The breadth and depravity of her operations cemented her reputation and, ultimately, led to her becoming the undeniable central figure in one of France's most infamous scandals, the notorious affaire des poisons.

The Horrifying Scale of Her Deadly Enterprise

The sheer scale of human suffering and death linked to La Voisin's organization is truly staggering. While initial suspicions concerning her purported organization of commissioned black magic and poison murder estimated a horrific toll of 1,000 victims, subsequent investigations and historical analysis suggest a far more gruesome reality. It is now widely believed that through her network's activities, an unimaginable upwards of 2,500 people might have been murdered. This chilling figure underscores the pervasive fear and moral decay that La Voisin exploited, leaving an indelible stain on the annals of French history.

Frequently Asked Questions About La Voisin

Who was Catherine Monvoisin, or La Voisin?

Catherine Monvoisin, famously known as "La Voisin," was a notorious French fortune teller, a professional commissioned poisoner, and a provider of alleged sorcery in 17th-century Paris. She operated a vast, illicit network offering a range of forbidden services to the aristocracy.

What services did La Voisin's network provide?

Her extensive network offered various illegal and immoral services, including discreetly providing poisons, powerful aphrodisiacs, abortions, various purported magical services, and even the arranging of black masses.

Who were her primary clients?

La Voisin's clientele predominantly consisted of members of the Parisian aristocracy, who sought her services for a variety of personal and often nefarious reasons.

What was the "affaire des poisons"?

The affaire des poisons was a major French scandal in the late 17th century involving widespread accusations of poisoning and witchcraft among the upper echelons of society. La Voisin became the central and most infamous figure in this investigation due to her extensive network and the nature of her crimes.

How many people are believed to have been murdered by her organization?

While initially suspected of being responsible for around 1,000 deaths, historical estimates suggest that upwards of 2,500 people might have been murdered through the activities of La Voisin's organization.