You see these on bridges, fountains, buildings above arched doors, windows, etc. all over
Paris. They are called
mascarons (decorative masks) and can be quite interesting, scary, beautiful—you supply the adjectives.
The first photo was taken on a bridge over the Seine--I can't remember which bridge. The one underneath was taken on the Left Bank on
Boulevard Saint Germain (note the neat old mosaic street sign).
The photo (above) was taken in the Marais on
rue du Beaubourg. It caught my attention because my son works for a grocery association in Seattle; this is the office of the grocery syndicate in
Paris.
This photo (above) was taken at the
hotel Sully (not really a hotel but a former grand private residence) and the last one, in
place Vendome. Like I said, they're everywhere!
You see these on bridges, fountains, buildings above arched doors, windows, etc. all over Paris. They are called mascarons (decorative masks) and can be quite interesting, scary, beautiful—you supply the adjectives. 
