A recent study of the will of Nicolas Flamel, a 14th-century Parisian, has revealed that he was not an alchemist, despite the long-standing legend that he and his wife, Pernelle, discovered the mythical "philosopher's stone"—a substance said to turn metals into gold and grant immortality. The legend has captivated writers, artists, and scientists for centuries, including figures such as Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and J.K. Rowling, who included Flamel as an alchemist in her Harry Potter series. However, new evidence from Flamel’s will, studied for the first time in 2024, suggests that the myth may have been based on a misattribution or appropriation of his identity. The will, preserved for centuries in the archives of a Parisian hospital, is now on display at the Cluny Museum in Paris for the first time this autumn. It provides insights into Flamel’s life, showing that he was a wealthy man who owned a large real estate portfolio and made numerous charitable donations. He was not aristocratic but held a high social status. This wealth, combined with the absence of any evidence that he practiced alchemy, led to speculation that alchemy might explain his fortune. At the time, alchemy was seen as a divine pursuit, and the idea that Flamel had unlocked its secrets would have explained his success. The legend of Flamel as an alchemist gained momentum after a text known as the Flamel Book was published about 50 to 75 years after his death. This book described an alchemical process that supposedly turned lead into gold, though it is now believed to have been inspired by older Eastern manuscripts. Over time, other alchemical texts appeared under his name, some even including details about the Flamel couple’s life in Paris. This raises the question of why authors would attribute such works to a man who had been dead for decades. The answer may lie in the allure of the philosopher’s stone itself, a concept that has fascinated people since ancient times. The idea of transforming base metals into gold and achieving eternal life has persisted across cultures and eras. Flamel’s will, however, suggests that his real legacy was not in alchemy but in his financial acumen and generosity. As curator Maëlys Bitouzet explains, the public’s surprise at discovering a real tombstone for Flamel—exhibited at the Cluny Museum—highlights the enduring power of myth over historical fact. While the legend of Nicolas Flamel as an alchemist may have been a fabrication, his actual life continues to intrigue and inspire.