Netflix subscribers seeking a gripping period drama are turning to the French mini-series The Bonfire of Destiny (original title Le Bazar de la Charité), which landed on the streaming service in 2019 and continues to captivate audiences.
The show is a fictionalised account of the Bazar de la Charité fire that killed 126 people on 4 May 1897. It follows three women—upper-class Adrienne de Lenverpré (Audrey Fleurot), her niece Alice de Jeansin (Camille Lou), and housemaid Rose Rivière (Julie de Bona)—who survive the blaze and must navigate its devastating aftermath.
With a 7.6/10 rating on IMDb, the series has drawn praise for its cinematography, costumes, and dark, realistic storytelling. One viewer described it as 'absolutely beautifully written,' while another noted it is 'about three strong and delicate women' and 'the devastating and gruesome fate many victims endured.'
However, not all feedback has been positive. One critic said the show 'grinds to a virtual halt with the turgid pace,' comparing its storytelling unfavourably to 'turtles zipping around at warp speed.'
The Bonfire of Destiny is available to stream on Netflix, though it is not included in ad-supported subscription tiers.
