Architectural Oddities in France

Discover 64 architectural oddities in France.

Noisy-le-Grand, France

Arènes de Picasso

A suburban housing complex with astonishing architectural features, locally nicknamed "the Camemberts."

Nanterre, France

Tours Aillaud

The unique design of these skyscrapers in a Paris suburb led to them being nicknamed "cloud towers."

Strasbourg, France

Büchmesser (Belly Measuring Column)

A pink sandstone column once used in ancient times to measure one's belly after a night of debauchery.

Église Saint-Maurice de Mervans

Mervans, France

Église Saint-Maurice de Mervans

Was the twisted roof on this church's belltower an intentional design or a happy accident?

Castel Meur

Plougrescant, France

Castel Meur

A small house sits between two huge rocks, with its back to the sea.

Église du Bon-Pasteur

This abandoned church in central Lyon is missing its front stairs.

Église Notre-Dame de Vals (Church of Our Lady of Vals)

A medieval church built into an ancient cave.

Permanently Closed

Le Stryge.

Le Stryge

This demon atop the Notre-Dame de Paris looks utterly bored.

Gue(ho)st House.

Gue(ho)st House

This building’s ghostly exterior reflects its former lives as a prison, school, and funeral home.

Boat houses.

Équihen-Plage, France

Inverted Boat Houses

These rustic holiday homes are made from discarded fishing boat hulls.

Firminy, France

Saint-Pierre of Firminy

This church looks more like a spaceship than a house of worship.

La Maison d'Adam (Adam's House)

A medieval house adorned with enigmatic carvings, including one of a man displaying his masculine attributes.

La Maison Sculptée.

Amanlis, France

La Maison Sculptée

An enchanting work of outsider art, full of whimsical sculptures and carvings.

Notre Dame du Travail Church.

Notre Dame du Travail Church

The industrial architecture honors the laborers who brought the Exposition Universelle of 1900 to life.

What looks like an ordinary building is actually a wall.

145 Rue Lafayette

What looks like a normal building is really a hollow facade hiding a subway vent.

Early 60s Jaguar Mark 2

Bordeaux, France

Falling Car of Bordeaux

This Bordeaux parking garage has 712 indoor spaces, and one outdoor.