Gargoyles Gargouilles
Waterspouts of France

Gargoyles are the grotesque, bizarre statues that protrude from old buidings, usually churches. Since gutters were not yet developed when these buildings were built, the primary function of these waterspouts was to divert water runoff from roofs away from the building. Without these features, erosion would take place.


Gargoyle stems from the French word Gargouille. Symbolically, it is also believed that in Medieval times, when these waterspouts first appeared in architecture, the church was seen as a powerful force, powerful enough to entrap evil in its form and turn it around to work for the good of the church.



So, gargoyles are the evil fire breathing demons that have been trapped forever and converted by the power of the church, which they now served to protect, spilling only water from the heavens out of their mouths.






It could be that from these early functional roles, the popularity of gargoyles as guardians grew. There are many examples of these artistic statues that serve only as symbolic sentinels of the church. In architectural terms these features are referred to as chimeras. In Greek mythology the chimera is a legendary creature composed of animal parts including a lion, a goat and a snake or dragon.



These protectors from evil take many different shapes and forms on gothic churches in France. One reknown place you can see the great variety of these is on the Notre Dame of Paris tour of the Towers.














Here you will find, in closeup, demons, goblins, gremlins amongst pelicans, panthers, monkeys, elephants, bats, etc., all watching over the streets of Paris below.

Read more about Notre Dame and how to see these weird and wonderful waterspouts & statues on the tower tour.




Another great place to see gargoyles whilst in Paris is at the Cluny Museum (Medieval Museum) in the 5th arrondissement, not too far from the Notre Dame.






Here you'll not only be able to spot the gargoyles stretching out from the building at some height above you, but also up close at ground level where there is a gargoyle that has been adapted as a "wishing well".



You can see clearly how the figure has been carved out with a canal to guide the flow of water out of the figure's mouth and away from the building edge.