On the poor end of the spectrum, Paris is also well-represented. The Bibliothèque Nationale, Opéra Bastille, and Tour Montparnasse represent some of the worst public building and public space combinations we've come across.

Paris also has more than its share of great monuments mired in abysmal, traffic-dominated settings, including the Arc de Triomphe, Panthéon, Opéra Garnier, and Place de la Madeleine. With improved pedestrian access and surrounding amenities, these monuments could become much more vital assets to their surrounding neighborhoods. It is staggering to think how superb Paris's collection of monuments could be if the opportunities inherent in these underperforming spaces were tapped.