Along the ring road, the expressway that encircles Paris, one building follows another, and no two are alike. Occasionally, unusual architectural structures stand out in the landscape of the capital and its inner suburbs. This piques the curiosity of motorists and their passengers, who then wonder what these strange constructions are that stand out in this urban panorama.
From the sloping towers and staircase-shaped building to the futuristic antenna, we take you on a tour of the unusual architecture that makes up the Parisian landscape. An opportunity not only to unveil the mysteries of their functions, but also to discover the secrets that sometimes lie behind these original designs. And the next time someone asks you a question, you'll be able to boast that you've got all the answers!
So, ready to take a tour of the sights of the Paris ring road? We'll tell you more about these unusual buildings. And don't forget to stay tuned: we'll be adding to this guide as we make new discoveries and suggestions.
What's that lonely skyscraper next to the Stade de France, once topped by a revolving billboard?
A curious skyscraper near the Stade de France in the Paris region caught your eye. You may even remember seeing a revolving billboard there in the past. We explain what the Pleyel Tower is, the tallest skyscraper in Seine-Saint-Denis. [Read more]
What's that lonely skyscraper tower dominating the Porte de la Villette?
From the Paris ring road, this solidarity skyscraper overlooking the Porte de La Villette may have caught your eye. We explain what this 70s-style tower is all about. [Read more]
What's that strange industrial fortress you see to the east of Paris, near Pantin?
From the Canal de l'Ourcq or the Périphérique ring road, you can see a huge, unusual site on the Pantin side of Paris that looks like a fortified castle. It's the Grands Moulins de Pantin! We'll tell you all about them and their history. [Read more]
What's this strange, saucer-like antenna tower to the east of Paris?
Have you ever looked up at this strange radio tower near Les Lilas? Impossible to miss, with its flying saucer shape resting on a shaft, it intrigues. Built in the 1980s to broadcast TV, radio and the Internet, and designed by Claude Vasconi, this 141-meg tower is now classified as Remarkable Contemporary Architecture. We'll take you on a tour! [Read more]
What's that design building with the look of a metal hill next to La Villette in Paris?
If you're traveling on the Paris ring road, you may have been intrigued by this intriguing building, which looks like a metal hill with a bird motif. It's the Philharmonie de Paris, and we'll tell you what it is. [Read more]
What's that huge, staircase-shaped tower to the north of Paris, near Clichy-la-Garenne?
If you've been walking around the north of Paris, or from a high vantage point, you've probably already noticed this strange building whose architecture is reminiscent of a giant staircase. It's the Tribunal de Paris: we tell you more about this unusual tower. [Read more]
What are the two leaning towers in Paris whose architecture gives the impression that they are about to fall?
In the 13th arrondissement of Paris, two sloping, vertiginous towers stand out for their unusual architecture, which almost gives the impression of defying gravity. We explain what the Duo towers are all about. [Read more]
What are those twin towers you can see from the ring road east of Paris?
If you take the ring road around Porte de Bagnolet, you'll see two tall twin towers dominating the surrounding area to the east of Paris. But what are they, and what purpose do they serve? We tell you more about the Mercuriales. [Read more]
