1. The 19th century Paris of Napoleon III and the Baron von Haussmann called for the construction of the nearly identical seven-story buildings you see throughout the city today. But while the buildings themselves offer a unified landscape, they actually stand out from one another in a major way: decorations above their doorframes.
2. Some are relatively simple, like this simplified caduceus (Staff of Hermes), often (erroneously) used in North America to symbolize medical practices (the proper symbol has only one snake). In reality, it symbolizes commerce and trade, which is probably the reason it was placed above this doorway, along with cornucopias, which symbolize plenty.
3. Despite Paris not being a maritime city, ocean-influenced doorframes with the motto “Fluctuat nec mergitur” are not uncommon: the top image of this post shows one version, while this is another version above the former ministry of the marines. The motto means “(She) is tossed by the waves but doesn’t sink” and has been the motto for the city of Paris since 1358, though it rose to prominence following the series of terrorist attacks a few years ago.
4. This lion looks slightly displeased. #mood
5. I’ve always loved this intricate carving in the Marais, and while now it’s a relic of times past, it used to actually be an advertisement! It shows that a man here once offered knife-sharpening services.