Wednesday for windows - along the Front de Seine.

Paris isn't all Haussmann elegance and wrought-iron balconies, these buildings on 'Front de Seine' have facades that embrace bold, modernist geometry. On the left, Tour Totem (1979, architects Michel Andrault & Pierre Parat) stacks protruding glass cubes in an irregular, almost Brutalist pattern, hundreds of windows creating dynamic depth and light play. On the right, the Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel tower (1976, formerly Hôtel Nikko) features a grid of square windows in warm terracotta tones, a striking contrast to the river and nearby Parc André Citroën.

This area, built in the 1970s as part of Paris's push for modern riverside development, mixes these towers with views of the Seine and the park's vast green spaces. The windows tell a story of that era: functional, repetitive grids, reflective glass, and a departure from ornate ironwork toward clean lines and scale.

Paris windows come in many styles, from Haussmann balconies to these modernist grids,each framing the city in its own way.

What's your favorite contemporary facade in Paris?

There is an interesting walk along Quai André-Citroën which takes in great views of the replica Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel tower.

Best metro for access: Javel - André Citroën (Line 10)

Bon mercredi ! 🇫🇷

“Somehow, Paris always manages to be beautiful, even when it’s just quietly being itself.”

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Part of the “Windows & Balconies of Paris” Series

Each Wednesday, we share a glimpse of Paris through its windows and balconies — the quiet details that give the city its rhythm and romance.

Browse the full series

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