In the 19th century, rue Réaumur, between the 2nd and 3rd arrondissements, became a playground for architects, who experimented after the relaxation of Haussmann regulations. At the time, Paris City Hall even organized a facade competition specifically for the street, resulting in someincredible building facades to be admired on a stroll with your eyes wide open. Among these facades, thecathedral building at 61-63 rue Réaumur is simply exceptional.
Built in 1898 by architects Philippe Jouannin and Edouard Singery, on the corner with rue Saint-Denis, it boasts a neo-Gothic façade topped by a monumentalclock. You're unlikely to miss it as you pass along the street, with its sublime colors and cathedral-like appearance, formed by the various ogee windows that resemble stained glass. Above the door there are magnificent sculptures between the arches, evoking the signs of the zodiac in their human or animal forms.
Once again, the astrological signs are found next to each number on the clock face, representing the 12 months of the year, in decorated medallions. To depict the seasons, four masks surround the sculptures, with Spring and the goddess Flora, Autumn and the nymph Pomona, the god Boreas for Winter and the goddess Ceres for Summer!
It's a great way to admire the passage of time on this facade, which stands out from the rest. And if you look closely inside the clock, you'll see a real barometer, warning you of the weather in real time!
15 beautiful and unusual buildings to discover in Paris
How about discovering some of the most beautiful buildings in Parisian architectural history? Unusual facades to discover all over the capital. The editorial team invites you on an aesthetic journey through the heart of the City of Light, from medieval splendor to Art Nouveau and contemporary boldness, revealing an unusual Paris that is sometimes unsuspected. [Read more]
Location
Rue Réaumur
61 Rue Réaumur
75002 Paris 2
15 beautiful and unusual buildings to discover in Paris
