We’ve spent years exploring the arrondissements of Paris, wandering down avenues and alleys, through courtyards and squares, discovering never-ending architectural wonders along the way. Parisian doors are one of our favorite subjects to photograph and we have hundreds and hundreds of them in our image library.
Each tells a story of artistic vision, expert craftsmanship, the parade of inhabitants coming and going, hard times and riches, the whole panoply of life closed away behind their beautifully carved facades.
If one is lucky when passing, a door will be open and you can peek into a hidden courtyard or a private oasis a world away from the bustle on the street, imagining the personal triumphs and dramas that have taken place there.
Because we know many of you share our love for Parisian doorways and entrances, here we offer a tour of some of our favorites.
The very first door we photographed in Paris, many years ago, is on Rue de Lille in Saint Germain. It remains one of our most popular images and we’re always pleased to see that it retains its slightly shabby but still elegant appeal. Its knocker is especially distinctive.
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What we consider to be one of the most beautiful doors in Paris can be found at Rue de Varenne, along one of our favorite walks that takes us from the 7th arrondissement, our home neighborhood in Paris, beyond the Musée Rodin and on toward Saint Germain. Over the years that we’ve strolled past, it has been painted three different colors and been in various states of repair. By now, it is an old friend that brings fond memories of many a meander down this stately street. Look closely and you can see a tiny dragon!
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We are particularly fond of this purple beauty on Rue du Bac in Saint Germain. Located just beneath the famous taxidermy museum, Deyrolles (featured in Midnight in Paris), it’s a majestic and imposing presence.
And lastly, as a culmination of our passion for Paris doors, we’re thrilled to present "Les Portes de Paris", a fine art photographic print of 100 of our favorite Parisian doors. Years in the making, each door is represented in exquisite detail.
It’s available here as a fine art print and here as a gallery wrapped canvas.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to the incredible doors of Paris!
