MY FAVORITE PARIS DOORS

November 10, 2020
, Strolls

During my Parisian strolls I have learned to open my eyes to discover the beauty of the city. If this one resides for many in the streets and buildings of Paris, Paris is also endowed with many atypical and charming doors. The city is thus colored by small touches of painted wood.

Here is a selection, not exhaustive, of the most beautiful Paris doors located in various arrondissements of the capital.
During your visit of the cite never hesitate to pass through the doors of the buildings when they are open, they are often full of treasures!

Charming Ile Saint-Louis doors

The urbanization work on the Ile Saint-Louis was undertaken during the reign of Louis XIII between 1614 and 1646. From that time on, the main axis of the island, the « rue Saint-Louis en l?île » takes shape. Many mansions were built there in the 16th and 17th centuries, including the splendid Chenizot mansion. The decoration of its facades and its balcony located above the door date from 1719… creating an amazing an unique design for this Paris door.

If you are lucky, the door will be open, giving you the opportunity to see the beauty of the inner courtyard. The whole street has some of the most beautiful wooden doors in Paris, so keep your eyes open!

Where ? Hôtel de Chenizot, 51-53 Rue Saint-Louis en l?Île, 75004 Paris

A doorstep facing the Seine

The red of this door left me speechless, especially because of the reflections of the clouds in the upper windows… Located on the Ile de la Cité, this door faces the Seine. It was used every day by former president René Coty from 1954 to 1959 who lived in this building!

Are you interested in discovering the secrets of the Parisian islands and bucolic places? Contact me to organize a tailor-made tour with friends or family! The history of Paris is waiting for you!!

Where ? 5 Quai aux Fleurs, 75004 Paris

The richness of the ornaments on the doors of the "Hotel Fieubet"

Between the Village Saint-Paul and the Seine was once the Royal Hotel of Saint-Pol, a royal residence until the 16th century. It was on the site of part of this residence that a first mansion was built in 1587. In 1676 the chancellor of Queen Marie-Thérèse, Gaspard Fieubet, bought it, hence its current name.

In 1857, the Count of Lavalette bought it and entrusted its transformation to Jules Gros according to the Italian-Spanish neo-baroque style, as evidenced by the mouldings attached to the red wooden doors overlooking the street. This style, full of details, makes the Hotel Fieubet one of the buildings with the most beautiful Paris doors!

Where ? Hôtel Fieubet, 2 Quai des Célestins, 75004 Paris

The most beautiful blue doors in Paris

If the 7th arrondissement is known for the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay and… its tranquility, it is a street that should not be missed!

Cross the arrondissement by following the Rue de l’Université which will connect Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Eiffel Tower. Many doors, most of them blue, wait for you. The peaceful atmosphere of the 7th arrondissement allows you to enjoy every detail, the sun’s reflections on the doors and to compare the different shades of blue. Enjoy!

Where ? Rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris

The most unusual building in Paris

The Lavirotte building at 29 Avenue Rapp is an unusual building with one of the most beautiful doors in Paris! Jules Lavirotte built it in 1900 for the ceramist Alexandre Bigot. He then uses the facade of his building as an exhibition support for his products! The entrance door made of wood and carved iron, framed by leaves climbing on a woman’s face, is the jewel of this Art Nouveau building.

-18 y.o fun fact : Lavirotte was always keen on secretly referring to sexual references into his works, and especially this door… got it?

Where ? 29 Avenue Rapp, 75007 Paris

The doors of the most colorful street in Paris

Take the time to stroll down the Crémieux street, to admire the colors and paintings on the walls of these atypical individual houses. The doors of these houses and their colors remind me of the London dwellings of the Nothing Hill neighborhood, don’t you think?

This street, the most colorful in Paris, is located in a neighborhood not that frequented by tourists. Next to the Gare de Lyon, the rue Crémieux is a small refuge in the neighborhood. A village atmosphere comes from these few colorful meters in a district dominated by tall buildings from the end of the 19th century and by more contemporary (and less elegant) buildings. You’ve never heard about the 12th arrondissement and want to experience a new way to visit Paris? Follow me for an authentic Parisian morning to stroll away from the docks and then discover the history and hidden places of the 12th district. We also walk the Rue Crémieux together and I tell you some stories about it.

Where ? Rue Crémieux, 75012 Paris