I have noticed in walking around Paris that there are what I consider "quirks" in the construction of older residential buildings. I often see that the stones used in the walls are different in one part of the wall, particularly where a chimney is located. There are other "quirks" also, and I wonder if there is a book or some other source which explains these architectural "oddities". Peter
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7621 posts
With as old as some buildings are and as much as they’ve been modified and modernized over time, I’d be more surprised if there weren’t any oddities as you refer to them.
Posted by
France Southwest
2761 posts
If you enjoy looking at building facades, take a stroll along Rue Eugène Flachat in the 17th arrondissement, where there's a rather interesting and unusual mix.
It starts here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZUiX6Gq4ESxi5aJ2A
At number 8, a building built by Georges Louis Bayard dates from 1880 and is in the Neo-Gothic style, with angels and gargoyles like those at Notre Dame. He also designed the building located at number 9.
At number 14, a green ceramic facade was the villa of a French architect: Charles Girault.
A similar one with green mosaics, lemon branch decoration, and a pair of lions guarding the entrance is located at number 32, also by a French architect who also designed the Printemps department store:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VhyD1WFPTBezExZ66
On Rue Berthier, you will find the rear facade of this building with many other plant decorations.
At numbers 16 and 18, a Louis XIII-style building with lots of bricks, dragons on either side of the entrance door, and a roof that unusually begins on the third floor.
At number 24, another building inspired by the "constructive rationalism" style, also built by Georges Louis. Bayard
At number 34, at the end of the street, a neo-Flemish brick and stone building designed by Jean Brisson stands on the corner.
Finally, if you prefer colorful buildings, check out Rue Crémieux, near Place de la Bastile. :))
Posted by
OP
264 posts
Thanks JoLui. Where did you get all this information? If from a book or website, would you please share? Peter
Posted by
UK
960 posts
France, in common with England, had a window tax - where properties were taxed according to the number of windows they had. So it’s not uncommon to see an area of a wall where windows have been bricked up to reduce tax, and that’s one of a number of reasons why you might see different patches of brickwork.
(Very common in historic buildings in the UK too).