It's the only remaining original "bouche de métro" (metro entrance) designed by Hector Guimard, the famed Art Nouveau architect!
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There's so much detail to take in, I just had to approach slowly and take a picture every few feet. Finally, when I got up close to those brown-and-green interior panels, I weirded out all the people coming out of the métro while I waited, camera to the ready, for the perfect shot.
Well, maybe not perfect. But how ridiculous is this? We heart Art Nouveau. And strongly believe that whoever tore down or partially dismantled the other Guimard stations should be prosecuted, even posthumously.
You'll find this turn-of-the-century gem at Porte Dauphine, terminus of Ligne 2, 16th arrondissement. Recommended approach: start at the Arc de Triomphe and walk all the way down Avenue Foch. Just don't do it at night.
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Wow! I'll try to remember that next time I'm in that neighborhood :)
ReplyDeleteActually, there's another one at Abbesses. You'll just have to come back to see it.
ReplyDeleteI guess what I should have said instead of "only remaining original" was "only remaining, fully-realized original." The entrance at Abbesses doesn't have side panels, which might just be my favorite detail.
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