Monday, November 30, 2009

Art Deco Building


In your opinion, what can be found in this building? A museum, a luxury hotel, a department store? All wrong!  This superb Art Deco building made by architect Joseph Marrast in 1931 is the head quarters of... the BNP Parisbas bank - the largest bank within the Euro zone. It's located near the opera, more precisely at the Boulevard des Italiens.

23 comments:

  1. Such an ethereal shot of such a down-to-earth building! Really lovely, Eric. This one's a marvel. Perhaps another theft for my desktop collection

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  2. I always wondered why you never showed this building as the lighting is wonderful. Now I don't need to wonder any more!

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  3. Oh my goodness! It doesn't look real! I half expect Cinderella to pop her animated head out the window looking for her prince! Amazing.

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  4. The architecture in Paris is fantastic, with a lighting like this it's breathtaiking!

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  5. It's a beautiful building and a great photo, Eric.
    However, it's very different from the art déco I've seen in my country, in Argentina and in the United States. I would call that "academicist style"... Compare with the Chrysler building.
    My husband, who knows Paris better than I do, suggests the Mutualité building by St. Nicholas, in the 5eme, as art déco in Paris.. but obviously you know the city much better than we ever could, lucky you!

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  6. So gorgeous. I've walked past this, but never at night. Now it's on the list!

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  7. Eric, I'd walk smack-bang into something if I looked up and saw this. Wow!!

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  8. Looks absolutely lovely.

    PLEASE
    Vote for Delhi Photo Diary in the 15th category by clicking this
    Link

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  9. You're quite right Lu…
    If this building hosts parts of BNP Paribas' head quarters, Eric has made a little confusion with this building (http://fr.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0044252) just nearby which stands better as a good Art Deco example, in Paris as in the US or in Argentina.
    This building also hosts BNP Paribas' head quarters (as many others in the neighborhood). There is amazing Board Room, all clothed with Art Deco designs made of Cordoba leather.

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  10. Thanks for sharing this, Eric. Nobody does lumiere like the Parisians—and, oh, that sky!

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  11. Good catch, Nasty GG! I'll include that building in the to-do list for my next visit to Paris ;-)

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  12. Eh Eric! It's funny to "meet" you on my portal (Over-blog)!! Did you find your values back?
    http://www.over-blog.com/editos/Au_secours_on_ma_pique_ma_valeur-1131674820.html

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  13. Ah, oui, je pense Lu et Nasty GG ont raison. (Maybe I comment too much, in bad French.) But that doesn't change the beauty of the building in the photo.

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  14. Lovely, romantic shot...must be Paris!! ;-) Merci!

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  15. I love how the lights in Paris turn overcast nite sky into a brown color....really makes a nice shot come alive. It's raining here in NY and getting dark thanks to daylight savings time...and the bank headquaters I am in right now doesn't look a think like this photo!


    Sean

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  16. Beautiful!
    Don't you think these lights are coming to us in the night a little bit like those of a lighthouse?
    Love them.

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  17. @Nasty GG. Gee, it's not my week! First the confusion between Gare du nord and de Lyon, now the fake Art Deco building, what's next?!!

    @Thib. Eh eh ;))

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  18. I neeeeeeed to know what's on the inside of these windows. I need it like I need air!

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  19. @ Eiffel Tower Suzy : you'd be disappointed : offices, just offices, and really not the most glamorous ones, believe me ! ;o)

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  20. Hello Eric,

    I'm a suburb Parisian and I had never seen the art deco building like this, thank for the picture!

    Did you manage to take the picture directly, or you had to retouch it?

    (I'm not fluent in english, sorry)

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  21. Hi Eric
    Superb shoot really like all your pic posted here

    Cheers,
    Unit Trust

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