Have you ever noticed these things on doorways around Paris?

Did you know there is a Paris curiosity that’s right under your nose?

Or, rather, right by your feet.

Yep, we’re talking about the chasse-roues, those iron, metal, and stone things – sometimes impressively ornate – that are installed on the bottom corners of the bigger doors across the city.

So, as you probably will too after reading this, I’ve spent days in Paris with my head down, absolutely fascinated by the intriguing little (and sometimes big) chasse-roues all over the city.

But first, what the heck is a chasse-roue (pronounced something like shass-roo)?

Well, it literally means “wheel chaser” and they were put in place to stop the wheels from damaging the walls as vehicles entered the buildings around Paris.

These days they’re functionless, but nice to spot as you walk around the city. Wikipedia says they’re called “guard stones” in English, but I’m sticking with the much nicer sounding chasse-roues for now.

Apparently, the decorative iron ones show where the wealthier people lived, the stone ones suggest less wealthy residents.

Here are 38 that I spotted around Paris – mostly in the 4th and 9th arrondissements – with occasional appearances by Charlie the Wonder Dog, the mascot of The Earful Tower.

And just click the images if you wanna see them bigger.

Some are impressively ornate like this one in the Marais.

Here are some stone ones in the Marais. Impressive doors too!

Charlie the Wonder dog inspecting a chasse-roue in the ninth arrondissement.

Back in the Marais.

Today they’re largely ignored, gathering street dust. (Marais)

Sometimes they’re spherical, like this Marais chasse-roue.

But most, I’d say, look just like this one. I didn’t take more pics of ones like this, they’re everywhere.

This’d stop a wagon wheel. Marais district.

The stone ones often blend into the buildings. Perfect for stubbing your toe.

The best are the original ones, like this one in the Marais.

Stone by the Peleton cafe.

This one has seen better days…

Took a pic of the whole door here… in the ninth.

This one looks more like a garbage bin.

Art nouveau? Different design here, spotted in the fourth arrondissement.

Also in the fourth, matching the doorway.

Another spherical one.

Charlie the wonder dog intrigued by the only spikey ones I saw.

Closer look at the spikes.

Ornate in the ninth.

Something from a science fiction film? No, just the ninth arrondissement up to its old tricks.

Doorway in northern Paris..

And another one

And a third.

Getting fancy near Gare de L’Est

Plain stone, blue doors.

Also in the ninth.

As you can see, I ended up taking pic to include the doors too.

With a human for scale.

Another one in the ninth.

The classic design.

Another typical design.

A bit more imaginative here…

Door needs a paint job. Chasse-roues doing well.

Painted green to match the door.

Almost like a treble clef…

Chunky chasse-roue in the ninth

And lastly, nice door in the ninth.

The door knockers are pretty fascinating in Paris too, so if you’re done with chasse-roues, why not take a look at some of the cities best knobs and knockers here.

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READ ALSO: 30 things about the Paris Metro that even the Parisians don’t know