They're dazzling. Erected on the facades of Parisian buildings, caryatids are unique statues that are always breathtaking to behold. To avoid having to wander all over Paris looking for them, here's where to find the most impressive caryatids in Paris (a non-exhaustive list - if you've spotted any others, let us know).
A caryatid is a statue of a woman used as a column on a building. Similarly, a statue of a man supporting a wall is known as anatlant.
Société de Géographie, 184 boulevard Saint-Germain - Paris 6e
While we wait to discover the mysterious interior of La Société de Géographie de Paris, one of France's oldest learned societies, let's admire its façade and caryatids. The two statues that greet visitors represent La Terre and La Mer. These two elements encircle a globe, also sculpted by Emile Soldi in 1878.
80 avenue Daumesnil - Paris 12e
By far my favorite Paris caryatids. Well, I should say "Atlantes", since the gigantic statues overlooking the 12th arrondissement police station represent men. More precisely, an imitation of Michelangelo's sculpture " The Dying Slave ". Once you've noticed them, it's impossible to pass through the district without admiring them from every angle.
53 rue de Turbigo - Paris 3e
Probably the most monumental caryatid in Paris. The mysterious angel on rue de Turbigo, the largest caryatid in Paris, is said to be the work ofarchitect Auguste Emile Delange. It depicts a lady dressed in a long antique tunic holding a sprig of myrrh and a small purse. Had you noticed it before?
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Angle rue du Faubourg Poissonnière / rue d'Abbeville - Paris 10e
These are twin sisters born on the facade of a tenement building. The caryatids at thecorner of rue du Faubourg Poissonnière and rue d'Ab beville were created at the same time as the building, in 1899 byarchitect Georges Massa.
Corner rue de Crimée / rue Meynadier
"Attention balcony under construction". On the second floor of 97bis, rue de Crimée, two statues are busy consolidating the balcony above their heads. The two atlatls at the corner of rue de Crimée and rue Meynadier hold a trowel and a chisel respectively. Everything you need to construct a building worthy of the name, isn't it?
