There is a long history of risky French architecture. For example, the Eiffel Tower was widely criticized when it was built. So, too, was the new entrance to the Louvre, which is what you are looking at in this photo. It was designed by the Chinese American architect I.M. Pei.

Both the Eiffel Tower and "the Pyramid" were considered incongruous monstrosities when they were constructed. But today they are iconic. I wonder if anyone thought the Notre Dame de Paris was a monstrosity when it was built? Was Watertown's clock tower considered "an incongruous monstrosity" when it was erected?