Paris Muse educator Oliver captures eye-catching architecture in Paris 

Paris Muse docents are top-notch, engaging teachers, and specialists in their fields. Another thing that makes them outstanding is an eye for meaningful details. In our new series, “The Best of Paris in Pictures,” our docents share their passion for Paris through their camera lens. First up is Oliver Farrell, a theater and arts educator from Australia, whose photographs capture several gems of Parisian architecture.

The first architecture many people encounter in Paris is the Neoclassical façade of the Paris Gare du Nord, built by architect Jacques Hittorff c. 1861-64. In front of the train station is a typical Art Nouveau metro entrance by Hector Guimard, built c. 1900. The perfect contrast!

The Petit Palais is one of the finest museums in Paris. It was built for the 1900 World’s Fair and is a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture. This museum is one of the survivors from the Fair along with its sister the Grand Palais. Its stunning permanent collection and exciting temporary exhibits presented in English and French make this gem a must-see.

Established in 1986, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie is the largest science museum in Europe. This is one of my favorite museums in Paris for its incredible collection of family-friendly and child-oriented exhibits.  Situated in the incredible Parc de la Villette, this cultural hub is worth the métro ride out of the city center.

The Palais Royal: Built originally for Cardinal-Richelieu in 1633-39, this palace has been extended and refurbished repeatedly up until 2015 when two new steel fountains were installed between the Court of Honour and the garden. One of the most iconic places in Paris, this photo captures the interior facade of the beautiful garden, an oasis of calm in the center of the city.

Built c. 1900-1901 this is one of the few Art Nouveau buildings in Paris. Housing regulations after Haussmann’s rebuilding of the city (1854-1891) made new architectural endeavors quite difficult. This facade at 29 Avenue Rapp in the 7th arrondissement is an exception to the overall look of Paris. Although restrained in comparison to the buildings of Gaudí in Barcelona or Horta in Brussels, architects like Lavirotte worked with the uniformity of Paris to create ‘organic’ forms in stone and steel.
Belle Époque Bliss!