The house (and door) at 29 Ave. Rapp in Paris was built in 1901 by  architect Jules Lavirotte and sculptor Jean-Baptist Larrive. It is a fine example of Art Noveau architecture and design.  It won a municipal competition in Paris for the finest facade. The door was made by Hector Guimard.

Lavirotte is known for his elaborate iron balconies and doors and his reliefs of flowers, fruit and animals. You can also tell a Lavirotte building because he signs his name and date into the stone in a very obvious place.

Lavirotte's most famous building on 29 Avenue Rapp, just a five minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. This façade won the award of the Concours de façades de la ville de Paris (Contest of façades of Paris) in 1901 and also created a controversy for its erotic design. Look at the door closely and you can see the phallic door design. Sculpted above the door is a woman's head, supposedly his wife, and to the sides are naked figures portraying Adam and Eve. You can see the use of animal imagery in the cattle heads under the center balcony and the lizard door handle. For this façade Lavirotte worked with sculptor Jean-Baptiste Larrive. For more info on Lavirotte go to MuseumChick.com .