Interview with Laurence Deloison, president of the club
To launch our new column, My Club and I, we previously met with the president of the Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis. In this second installment, we turn our attention to France and speak with Laurence Deloison, the president of the Sholmesian Circle of Paris. For over ten years, this club has united Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts from all walks of life. Laurence shares with humour and insight how she ventured into the Sherlockian universe, how the Circle blossomed beneath the Eiffel Tower, and the intriguing story of a ghost named Hans Nitasi who is now part of the family. Join us for a lively conversation filled with anecdotes that offer a glimpse of what it truly means to be a Sherlockian today.
La Gazette du 221B : Hello Laurence. How would you describe a Sherlockian club to someone who has never heard of one?
Laurence Deloison : I might start by clarifying what it isn’t! Whenever I mention my involvement in a Sherlockian club, people often ask if we’re involved in actual investigations. I wish we were! But we’re not a group of detectives… and certainly not a sect. A Sherlockian club is essentially a gathering of people passionate about the world of Sherlock Holmes in all its forms: the stories, of course, but also films, series, and video games. Many members have a fondness for all things British, drawn to London, the Victorian era, and detective fiction overall. It’s an expansive universe, and everyone enters it through their unique perspective.
G221B : How did you personally fall into the world of Sherlock Holmes?
L.D. : Very early on. My introduction started with Miyazaki’s Sherlock Hounds on television. Then, at the age of ten, I received The Hound of the Baskervilles in a Folio Junior edition, and it was love at first sight. I devoured the two volumes of the Bouquins collection… even taking them into the bath, where one unfortunately took a dip. That led to the library requesting I buy a replacement. In that moment, Sherlock Holmes began costing me money! Back then, I was unaware of pastiches or Sherlockian societies. Everything shifted with the rise of the Internet and the first forums. My visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London reignited my passion, and that’s when I began to connect with other enthusiasts.
G221B : And how did you transition from online forums to the « real » Sherlockian world?
L.D. : In my twenties, I hesitated to join a Sherlockian society, imagining a gathering of elderly gentlemen smoking pipes by the fireside. Ultimately, I took the plunge—starting with meetings in France and then attending the annual dinner of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. This was also during a period of remarkable Sherlockian revival sparked by Guy Ritchie’s films in 2009 and the BBC’s Sherlock in 2010. Suddenly, the Sherlockian demographic became younger, more diverse, and more inclusive of women. It was within this context that the Holmesian Circle of Paris emerged.
G221B : Do you recall the early days of the Circle?
L.D. : Absolutely! It was in 2012, centered around a founding event that has since gained legendary status: a picnic under the Eiffel Tower to support the international « Save Undershaw » movement, advocating for the preservation of Conan Doyle’s house. We decided, « If we’re participating, let’s do it in Paris, right in front of the Eiffel Tower. » We gathered with our sandwiches, thermoses, signs, and a repertoire of parody songs, radiating a remarkable energy. That was the Circle’s inaugural act—infusing our gatherings with a sense of playfulness and good humour from the very beginning! This blend of seriousness and whimsy has become the hallmark of the Holmesian Circle of Paris.
The following year, we decided to do it again with a Sherlockian « demonstration » on the Trocadéro esplanade, waving our « Save Undershaw » banners and « I Believe in Sherlock » signs. Though our numbers were few, we felt like a revolutionary movement. Le Parisien even ran an article titled « They Demonstrate for Sherlock Holmes. »
Even now, we often navigate the fine line between staying true to the Canon and winking at current events. While the Circle is certainly a Sherlockian society, we seize opportunities to create something humorous and lively whenever an event arises.
For example, we organized Holmsian Games in 2024, an Olympic yearin Paris. And of course, when the Louvre jewellery theft occurred at the end of 2025, we felt compelled to react: Arsène Lupin was the obvious inspiration, with Herlock Sholmès at his side. As we dug deeper, we recalled that in the Granada series, Jeremy Brett’s character is called by the Louvre to investigate the theft of the Mona Lisa. The connection was serendipitous. We headed to the Louvre for a few fun photos, and to our surprise, a U.S. press photographer spotted us. The following week, our photos appeared in forty or fifty newspapers around the globe. It was an entirely unexpected moment, yet perfectly emblematic of the playful boldness and joyful serendipity that drive us.
G221B : What makes the Circle unique?
L.D. : Diversity. We bring together a wide range of generations and backgrounds: from Canon readers and BBC fans to video game enthusiasts and Granada devotees. Everyone is welcome. Above all, we prioritize good humour. People come to share, discover, laugh, and learn. It’s not just a club; it’s a community of friends.
G221B : What Does a Typical Year Look Like for the Circle?
L.D. : We have one unshakeable appointment: the second Wednesday of every month at The Galway pub in Saint-Michel. Even if only one person showed up—which has never happened—the meeting would still go on. During these gatherings, we discuss all sorts of Sherlockian news, showcase the latest books we’ve picked up, and delve into a themed discussion: whether it’s a story from the Canon, a particular character, or a broader topic like “children in the Canon.” We wrap up with a quiz and a small prize to win, followed by dinner together in the neighbourhood.
In addition to this, we have ;
- An anniversary weekend in January, featuring dinner, a Sherlockian Secret Santa, visits, escape games, and shows.
- A summer trip, which could take us anywhere from Scotland, Devon, and Italy to Transylvania, Étretat (following the Arsène Lupin/Sherlock Holmes theme), and even a night at the haunted Château de Fougeret, complete with a spiritism session featuring an entity named Hans Nitazi, who became our Circle’s invisible mascot.
- Cultural outings to plays, exhibitions, and films. Some theatre companies even consult us for advice on their Sherlockian productions.
G221B : You also have rituals… like the famous selfie!
L.D. : Yes! I can’t recall exactly when it started, but it goes back at least a decade. At the conclusion of every meeting, we take a selfie in front of the pub, with Notre-Dame in the background. I thought it was an internal joke, but last January, during the BSI weekend in New York, several people mentioned they always look forward to the moment we post that selfie on our Facebook page. It has become a sort of signature of the Circle, and an unintended testament to the reconstruction of Notre-Dame.
G221B : Do you have relationships with other Sherlockian clubs?
L.D. : Yes, and that’s a dimension I cherish. We are closely connected to the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, and several Circle members attend the annual dinner at Parliament. Some have even participated in a trip to India organized by the SHSL.
We also maintain ties with clubs in Germany, Spain, Italy, and of course, the United States. I am a member of the BSI, and several Circle members engage in American online meetings.
We gladly welcome foreign Sherlockians passing through Paris. That’s how we met Bonnie MacBird, Chuck Kovacic, Terry McCammon, and most recently, Dan Andriacco.
I even attended a meeting in Brazil, which unexpectedly turned into an event at the Fnac in Rio, drawing 80 people when I had only anticipated a coffee with a few fans! I travel frequently, for work and pleasure, and each encounter continually enriches our Circle.
G221B : How do you envision the future of the Circle?
L.D. : I see it with optimism. We have been around for over ten years, and we continue to welcome new members, including many young people. The Galway meeting will remain unchanged, and we will keep organizing trips, such as the one planned in Cornwall next August, following in the footsteps of The Devil’s Foot.
Moreover, Sherlockian news never slows down; we have new series and publications that keep interest alive. The Circle continues to evolve while staying true to its core identity. The Canon remains our foundation, even as we embrace all forms of adaptation.
La gazette du 221 B 