My Curious Finds in Paris

Curious finds in Paris can be found around nearly every corner. However, as tourists, we often miss these wondrous, unusual and curious finds in Paris. If you have more than a day or two for your visit you will be surprised at all the curious finds in Paris you can discover by walking to your destination instead of going underground on the metro . Whether it is the detail in a sculptured door-knocker, an unusual fountain sculpture or a building sculpture, there are many curious finds in Paris that will delight you!

Curious Finds in Paris – The Angel of rue Turbigo

The Angel of Rue Turbigo is located at the bend of two buildings.

One of the curious finds in Paris that is my favorite is the Angel of rue Turbigo. After reading Angels of Paris: An Architectural Tour Through the History of Paris by Rosemary Flannery I added this angel to my list of “things to see in Paris”. My first search for this particular angel was thwarted by scaffolding on the buildings that blocked my view. However, this past summer I actually found my angel and she is more magnificent than the photos can capture. She presides over the corner of two buildings at #57 rue Turbigo. The closest metro is Arts et Métiers.

The Angel at rue Turbigo is 3 stories tall and her wings appear to support the fourth floor. Even though she is carved from stone, the folds of her dress are soft and fluid.  The building was designed by Eugène Demangeat in 1860 but the angel is the architectural genius of Emile-August Delange who was an art student at the École des Beaux-Arts et Architecture. Delange submitted his 30 foot tall angel as part of a proposed light-house design that he entered in a competition.

The Statue of Liberty in Paris

At the rear of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, close to the metro stop by the same name, you will find the Statue of Liberty. This copy was made from the original plaster model which is inside the museum. This is one of several copies of the original Statue of Liberty that is found in New York. Four others are found on Île aux Cygnes, Luxembourg Gardens, inside the Musée des Arts et Métiers, and at the Musée d’Orsay.

Statue of Liberty

Door Ornamentations as Curious Finds in Paris

Door knockers are one of those things I love to photograph when traveling. The rooster, coq gaulois, is one of the national emblems of France. It shows up on the French National Rugby team-wear and other French teams in international competition and appeared on coins between 1899 and 1914. Today you will still find it as part of the National Seal of France. This particular rooster door-knocker is found at 7 rue Vivienne and is 12-15 inches tall. We stumbled upon him as we exited one of the passages and galeries found in this area of Paris.

Coq Gaulois door knocker

Sculpted by Thomas Regnaudin, the pair of medusa heads found on the doors to Hôtel Amelot de Bisseuil in the Paris Marais form just part of the impressive features of the doors. However,  they are definitely the part that has become a tourist attraction. This Paris hôtel particuliers is located at 47 rue Vieille du Temple.

Hôtel Amelot de Bisseuil

One of two Medusa carvings on the door of l’Hôtel Amelot de Bisseuil

If you’ve enjoyed these curious finds in Paris you might also want to read about the The Drunken Boat which is near Saint Sulpice Church.