Beautiful Glasgow landmarks and buildings inspired by Paris

The city's designers and architects have sought influence from their travels across the world and have brought the styles of Rome, Greece and more to Glasgow.

One city which has perhaps been a more subtle source of inspiration is Paris - did you know these spots were modelled on landmarks in the city of love? 

The city of the dead

The Necropolis was one of the first cemeteries to be built in Britain after a first-of-its-kind cemetery in Paris inspired the need to change what happened to people when they die.

Grave-robbing was a serious problem in Glasgow and by the 19th century, the city leaders decided to make a change - that was directly inspired by a French leader.

Napoleon declared that “every citizen has the right to be buried regardless of race or religion”, and he personally approved the plans for Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

It opened in 1804, and it paved the way for other garden cemeteries in Europe and across the world. Many famous names are buried there including composer Frédéric Chopin, writer Oscar Wilde, singer Edith Piaf and The Doors frontman Jim Morrison.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, photo by cocoparisienne via Pixabay (Image: Photo by cocoparisienne via Pixabay)

In Glasgow, the land near the cathedral had been bought in 1650 by the Merchants’ House and adopted the name Fir Park due to the many fir trees planted there.

READ MORE: Glasgow's city of the dead inspired by Paris and Venice

John Strang, chamberlain at the Merchants House, wrote in 1831: “The Fir Park appears admirably adapted for a Père Lachaise, which would harmonise beautifully with the adjacent scenery.”

He added that the Necropolis was to be “respectful to the dead, safe and sanitary to the living, dedicated to the genius of memory and to extend religious and moral feeling”.

Glasgow Necropolis (Image: Archive image. Newsquest.)

The first person to be buried there was a Jewish jeweller, Joseph Levi, and some familiar names buried there since include Charles SP Tennent, his brother Hugh and son Hugh Tennent of Tennent’s lager and Alexander McCall, Glasgow’s Chief Constable from 1870 to 1888.

Shopping in style

Paris is famous for many things, including its shopping scene. Not just the powerhouse names like Chanel, Dior and Givenchy, but the style of shopping venues. Arcades were popularised in the city in the 19th century, and some of them are as beautiful as the clothes and accessories you can buy.

Queen Arcade. Glasgow City Archives (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

Glasgow only has one classic arcade left – the Argyll Arcade. While its designer, architect John Baird Senior, was directly influenced by the Burlington Arcade in London, it can be said that shopping arcades in general in the UK were inspired by those in Paris.

Apart from Argyll Arcade, the city used to be bustling with similar shopping promenades such as Queen Arcade, Wellington Arcade, Royal Arcade near the Theatre Royal, Millar’s Arcade and more.

Stunning Gothic architecture

Nestled among rows of sandstone tenements in Glasgow’s West End, Kelvinside and Hillhead Parish Church was modelled on one of Paris’ most stunning yet underrated places of worship.

Less famous than the iconic Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur, the Sainte-Chapelle was a royal chapel built within the Palais de la Cité which was the residence of the kings of France when it was built in the 13th century.

Sainte-Chappelle church in Paris, photo by iankelsall1 via Pixabay (Image: iankelshall1, Pixabay)

It is a pioneering example of a type of architecture called Rayonnant, a branch of the Gothic style which placed more emphasis on vertical lines. The Sainte-Chappelle is characterised by rows of tall windows fitted with stained glass in vibrant shades of purple, blue and pink and supported by strong golden buttresses.

In Hillhead, you can see the influence Sainte-Chappelle had on architect James Sellars, who completed the church in 1876. The A-listed building is dominated by impressive windows, high archways and stained glass panels.