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?
I learned a couple weeks ago that a former student of mine, Erin H., is looking at the blog from time to time. Given that there are other former students who also see this blog, this might seem unremarkable. But it turns out that Erin is in Paris for a year, and there's something special to me about having someone there checking out my blog. :-)