This 1870s cast-iron sculpture is one of the more than 77 public water fountains scattered throughout Paris, financed, conceived, and drawn by Sir Richard Wallace, a British billionaire. He directed that these fountains be both useful and beautiful, blending in with his adopted city. The fountain above was the original design of Wallace, sculpted by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, the first of four designs to be installed. This one in the Marais (4ième arr.) incorporates 4 caryatids representing "kindness," "simplicity," "charity," and "sobriety" and features dolphins on the dome.
For years I saw these fountains and never knew the story behind them, how they have for over a century provided potable water to Parisians and visitors. Most of them are still in use.
In a few weeks I will be looking for the other three styles... just because.
27 comments:
Moi non plus, je n'ai jamais été mis au courant de l'histoire de ces fontaines parisiennes. Et pourtant, c'est très intéressant.
Merci Genie, et bonne journée!
Oui, Genie. Comme Richard a dit, les fontaines et leur histoire sont très intéressantes.
And those nubiles would be the Grommet sisters, I assume
I love those fountains! Thanks for sharing their story!
Oh they are adorable!
Very interesting post Genie!
This detail of the fountain is fabulous, they are so gorgeous!
Léia :)
«Louis» didn't know the story behind these fountains. He finds it interesting that they were installed during the Napoléon III/Haussmann remodeling of Paris.
Ah Genie,
What a love about paris is --- there is always a story to be told and something to learn. Thank you for being a teacher today --- I am forever in study of this beautiful city. x
Thank you for the reminder, I am going to look these up when I return.
I always learn something on your blog. The fountains are beautiful. Love how even the most common things are turned into a work of art.
Lovely delicate sculpture.....very much of it's time.
Enjoy your day Genie! R x
I've never actually seen any of these fountains. Interesting to hear about! It's gorgeous and so intricate; almost like everything in Paris...
I love them too. Try the square across the street from the church I featured Sunday. There is also one in the square near Mouffetard, on the way to Metro Censier Daubenton! Look at me , I sound like Peter! :)
V
Fantastique!
Love these fountains. I didn't know that there were 4 different designs. Looking forward to seeing the others.
A beautiful fountain - can't wait to see the others.
What a gorgeous fountain and a terrific capture, Genie! Look forward to seeing more! Hope you have a great weekend! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Several years ago, it took a lot of talking on my part to get my friend to refill her water bottle from the one in front of Shakespeare's.
Whenever I see these, I think of the one by the Flower Market on the Ile de la Cité. Flowers and the art nouveau decorations--a perfect combination.
It is a beautiful fountain, both practical and beautiful.
Paris seems to have a knack for making practical items beautiful at the same time. Yes, it costs a bit more to achieve that, but it is so worth it!
I saw several on this last trip and thought about how beautiful they are—but certainly didn't know all this about them. So merci beaucoup for the tutorial, Genie!
Richard -- Elles sont reconnues dans le monde entier comme un des symboles de Paris... C'est intéressant, n'est-ce pas?
Bear -- Merci, mon ours
jb -- Hummmmm... I am not sure about that
Vreni -- So glad! Thanks
Nina -- This one is 9 feet tall (3 meters and some)
Léia -- There is even a red one and I am going to find it!!
Louis -- I do think that it goes with that architectural period and they have a certain elegance.
Suzi -- I am constantly amazed at the hidden stories. These fountains had cups for drinking in them until they were removed by the French health department in 1952!
Elizabeth -- They are pretty easy to spot and there are many of them placed in central areas
Tammy -- Merci... These were so designed also because they were of low cost to craft and maintain... amazing!
R -- It is indeed and merci!
Brittany -- There were three other designs. One was a smaller version of this large one
Virginia -- So, were you drinking out of them?
Luxe -- Glad that you like it... nice to see you here
Harriet -- Almost all of the wrought iron of that period was this dark green. I started to show this in b/w but the green compelled me not to
Loree -- You will definitely see it if I find that red one!
Sylvia -- Merci, mon amie!
Starman -- Was that Virginia?
AA -- I will have to find that one as I agree with your thoughts on the combination.
Clueless -- Merci, and yet, I do not think that I would want to drink out of the communal cup (at least it is gone now)
Jack -- It is such an interesting sight and I did not know how many there were. I should have said in my narrative that there are 77 of the originals remaining. I was vague
Alexa -- Je t'en prie, mon amie!
Very interesting indeed and so decorative.
Randy -- Merci, mon ami et bon weekend!
I am ready to find (and photograph) the others --- but I would like to stop by this one as well. Lovely photo and fascinating history. P minus 10!!!
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