Two leaning slabs that make Paris look briefly like it’s in motion—Nouvel bending the perimeter into attitude.
Two skyscrapers in Paris.
Featured in Jean Nouvel's definitive monograph, Jean Nouvel by Jean Nouvel: Complete Works 1970–2008.
Visitor Guide
Go to the river and then to the ring-road edge: the towers were designed to be read against infrastructure, not postcard Paris.
From the Seine promenade near Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, dusk for reflections; skyline shots work best at blue hour.
Mixed-use but largely private offices; some ground-level retail/restaurants may be public; completed 2021.
The lean is calibrated—more like a controlled deflection than a gimmick; the towers ‘avoid’ the périphérique visually.
30–60 min
Design & Structure
Designed through massing iterations responding to site constraints (noise, pollution, ring road); facade and glazing act as ‘shields’, coordinated digitally.
Glass facade with performance glazing; materiality is about shielding and reflection.
Engineering handles leaning geometry and wind—structure must keep the ‘tilt’ stable without over-thickening the core.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Tours Duo — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Jean Nouvel
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Opéra de Lyon
Genoa International Boat Show
Guthrie Theater
Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain
Institut du monde arabe
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Tours Duo?+
Tours Duo was designed by Jean Nouvel. It is located in 13th arrondissement of Paris, France.
Where is Tours Duo located?+
Tours Duo is located in 13th arrondissement of Paris, France. Its coordinates are 48.8248°, 2.3830°.
Can I visit Tours Duo?+
Tours Duo is a real building in 13th arrondissement of Paris that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.