The vivid tapestry of Paris in "Cousin Pons" is woven through the contrasting homes and settings that shape the characters’ lives and destinies. Each location, from the imposing Marville home to the humble Topinard flat, offers a peek into the society's intricate social fabric. This exploration of settings reveals not only the physical spaces inhabited by the characters but also the social hierarchies and personal ambitions that animate this world.

Marville’s House

Situated on the rue de Honoré, the residence of Monsieur Camusot de Marville stands as a testament to the decorum and prestige of its owner, a presiding judge of the Royal Court of Justice. Despite its northward-facing facade that casts a gloomy shadow on the street, the house boasts a charming south-facing courtyard and an elegant garden, encapsulating a serene and respectable environment. The interior mirrors this prestige with its grand green draperies, heavy tapestries, and thick carpets, all exuding a sense of authority and permanence fitting for a figure of Marville's stature. Yet, for Sylvain Pons, an elder cousin-in-law, this abode feels starkly uncomfortable due to its lack of artistic adornments, highlighting Pons's own aesthetic inclinations and discomfort with conventional respectability.

The structure evolves through the narrative as Marville and his wife relocate to the upper floors, effectively turning over the main level to their daughter as part of her marriage dowry, signaling a transition in familial roles and the continued importance of social status.

Pillerault’s House

Nestled in the Marais district on rue de Normandie, Monsieur Pillerault’s home presents a more humble but equally bustling scene. This former townhouse, now a lodge, accommodates Pons and his close companion, Pons Schmucke, in one of its smaller flats. The building comprises several double-depth apartments and additional, more modest dwellings, including a shop run by Remonencq, a cunning ironmonger-turned-bric-a-brac dealer.

Madame Cibot, the lodge's custodian, and her husband exploit their position to defraud the lodgers subtly. In the later stages, as Pons's health deteriorates, Madame Cibot manipulates the situation to control access to his apartment, allowing opportunists to encroach on his private affairs, symbolizing the vulnerability of trust and the perilous nature of dependency.

Remonencq’s Shop

Once a coffeehouse, Remonencq's establishment on the ground floor of Pillerault's residence has transformed into a curious antiquities store. Despite its modest beginnings with inexpensive trinkets, the shop gradually fills with high-quality antiques, reflecting Remonencq's ambitions and his rise in social standing. The strategic location provides Remonencq with insights into the worth of Pons's art collection, feeding his aspirations.

After Madame Cibot becomes a widow, her marriage to Remonencq marks another step in her material ascent, though the union ends tragically with Remonencq's accidental poisoning, leaving her the inheritance of the shop.

Magus’s House

On the Chaussée des Minimes, the residence of Elias Magus, a dedicated art collector, displays an intriguing duality of opulence and neglect. The lavishly restored floor, adorned with brocade curtains and plush carpets, houses Magus's esteemed collection, while the storage areas on the ground floor serve as both a repository and an art restorer’s workshop.

Magus’s daughter, Noémi, resides within this luxurious setting, almost as prized as the artworks themselves. In contrast, Magus occupies two dilapidated rooms on an upper floor, underscoring a life dedicated to art over personal comfort, and highlighting his eccentric priorities.

Pons’s Flat

Located within Marville’s house, Pons’s quarters are a reflection of his passion for art and collecting. Though the narrative provides little detail about the general living spaces, it vividly describes the room dedicated to his collection. Originally decorated in white and gold, this room now radiates softer hues of yellow and red,...