Trompe l’œil

Buildings and Architecture, Trompe-l'oeil

If you’re alert while walking about Paris, you might notice walls painted with three dimensional images designed to give the illusion of reality. Often there are painted windows in an attempt to improve the look of the side of a large building without windows or other architectural details. The technique is called trompe l’œil, literally ‘fool the eye’.

Seen in the 15th arrondissemnt: at 137 Rue Lecourbe.

Trompe-l'oeil 2

Trompe-l'oeil 1

Here is a similar one from 82 Quai de Jemmapes in the 10th arrondissement along Canal Saint-Martin.

Trompe l’œil building

Cynthia Tuttelman

Cynthia Tuttelman (aka "Tut") is a writer, family doctor and quilter who lives in Northern California and part-time each year in Paris, France. Follow along and explore the wonders of Paris.