We saw this oddity at the Paris Mint–La Monnaie de Paris, which is located on Quai de Conti, at the corner of Guénégaud, the street where our apartment was located when we traveled to Paris last September. These iron bars are on the Guénégaud side of the building.
Here’s another shot:
Any architectural scholars out there who can explain what this is??
UPDATE 10/26/2011: Still trying to figure out the Paris Mystery Photo? I accidentally stumbled across what seems to be a sensible answer at this web site which is in Italian. Google translation is not terrific–but at least you’ll be able to figure it out. The Italian site explains similar structures in Venice. A deterrent it is–and although some still say deterrent of urination, the open work in my Paris Mystery Photo leads me to think that the first explanation they offer is more sensible. Can’t really see how this structure would deter a liquid stream! But it would deter a bad guy from lurking. Richard Mussler Wright, in the very first comment to this post, guessed as much. Nice going Richard.
These photos are part of Travel Photo Thursday, and you can see more travel photos by going to Budget Travelers’ Sandbox and checking the list of participants at the bottom of her post.
Once we left Paris, we traveled to Normandy and Brittany. If you have not looked at my post about three “royal” stays in Brittany–please take a look at the Girls Getaway site.
Vera Marie – will keep you posted! 1st 2 nights in a lovely typical Provençal hotel I visited previously. Next is the long week-end in St Remy de Provence with French friends “en famille”. The next part is 2 nights in a lovely hotel in Lyon( UNESCO heritage city).i will meet up with French friends and go to the opera one night and then we go out for dinner the next, having had the aperitif in their apartment.
The last part of the trip will be 5 nights in Paris where I meet up with my French lady colleague and do an usual little museum in them Marais on Sunday afternoon followed by a walking tour of the Marais on Monday.
If I can, I hope to go to a concert and also hear the organ of Notre Dame and I am having lunch with Brazilian clients in the famous Cafe de la Paix! The food there is wonderful as I have been before.
Another thing I am doing in Paris is to be taken to a Scottish pub restaurant by a lovely young French couple and – I think after all that I need to come home, go on a diet and then do some work and add more information to my Paris guides I send to clients!
Going all the way to Paris to visit a Scottish pub? Coals to Newcastle, wouldn’t you say? But I know what you meant about going home and getting on a diet. Hope you’ll just have lots of walking to do while on your trip.
All in the name or work and all most enjoyable!Scotland and France – what could be better for a 2nd career?? No timetables or deadlines and bells ringing — just the sounds of the TGV gliding into the next station in France!
Hope the Meleucq will stay in business as a lovely property in Brittany! Our clients do like staying there.
Off to France demain as they say!
Marie.
I will be in Paris mid November and will do another tour of unusual Paris with this lady Parisienne! Wow! The Marais this time!
So interesting and so much to see and find out!!
Marie Cruickshank
I did reply to this as I know – it is to stop men not being gentlemen and relieving their bladders in a corner!! I was shown round some unusual places in Paris by a Parisienne who explained what they were!!! There are other interesting “designs” on balconies in wrought iron —– questions to what they are as I do know!! Interesting!!!
Marie: As you see, someone else made the same comment, but I still have trouble believeing that is the true reason. After all, why couldn’t they “go” through that open work? On the other hand, preventing bad guys from lurking in corners and jumping out at people makes perfect sense. Your upcoming trip to Marais sounds fantastic. Lucky you. What a job!
I do not know. Clues: It prevents anyone from standing in the corner of the buttress/pillar of the building. The spikes pointing down and inward would discourage someone from stepping over and standing inside the area. I would guess that it prevents people from loitering (potentially blackjacking passerbys) in that particular spot, but why the round balls on the tops? Maybe to prevent accidental pokings?
Just found your blog!! We are going to be in Paris next Sept. for a few days then on to Italy. Really looking forward to seeing Paris. I’ll try and find this spot!! I started following you on Twitter
http:weddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/10/photographing-love-in-spring-time-and.html//jp
It’s where they put criminals on display for punishment way back when. 🙂 They’d have to stand in the corner and have rotten fruit thrown at their heads.
Yeah, maybe not.
Cheers,
Casey
Very interesting! Can’t wait to find out what it’s all about. I’ll have to look for it next time in Paris.
How interesting! They look like little sculptures.
What a great shot! I have no idea what it means, or if it has any particular use. However, makes for a great “I wonder what…?” 🙂
Wild stuff. Right side up I would guess to prevent loafers from sitting, but pointing down I have no idea. I second an earlier commenter’s point about a place to tie up horses. ? Great find.
How random 🙂 Maybe it was for horses way back when?
Wld love to know what this is about- IF you ever find out- be sure and let us all know!
My vote is for spontaneous combustion of the lower half. That’s all I got. 🙂
Spontaneous combustion? That’s a good one.
I would hazard the guess that this is to keep off the many not so gentlemanly men from doing their liquid business there.
Well, Michael, if a genuine Parisian doesn’t know for sure, I’m not sure we’ll ever get the answer!
It is odd … perhaps it was something done by the architect to be different for style sake?
Hope you get your answer. 🙂
how crazy!
Jessie: Well, yeah, its crazy, but what is it?
How old is the building? Maybe put there because of horse carriages-so they don’t damage the building– Or the carriage or hit it??
C L: I think the building goes back to the 19th century, so that’s a good guess. (By the way, I combined your two comments, cause I figured that’s the way you actually wanted them)
Hmmm, how curious. Would love to help you out on that one but I have absolutely not idea! 🙂 Sorry.
Julia
I have no idea! That is so strange….
Interesting article