Final Up to date: | Printed: October twentieth, 2022
Place de la Concorde
Paris boasts greater than 200 fountains, with the oldest relationship again to the sixteenth century. A placing mixture of structure, artwork and ornamental thrives, they’re certain to show your head once you’re exploring the town’s pleasant neighborhoods. We’ve picked six of probably the most incredible Paris fountains, close to our Paris Good trip leases, all wealthy in tradition and historical past. Should you’re visiting in the summertime, in addition they provide very best spots to chill down on a heat Paris day.
Place de la Concorde with a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
Fontaines de la Concorde
Two of probably the most spectacular Paris fountains adorn the Place de la Concorde beside the Jardin des Tuileries. Set both aspect of the plaza’s Egyptian obelisk, the northern one is known as the Fontaine des Fleuves (Fountain of Rivers) and the southern one is the Fontaine des Mers (Fountain of Seas). These monumental fountains have been designed by architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff, working with a staff of sculptors, and have been accomplished in 1840.
Impressed by a pair of fountains in Rome’s St. Peter’s Sq., each are classical and ornate. Massive figures within the Rivers fountain symbolize the Rhône and Rhine rivers, celebrating France’s river community. Within the Seas fountain, commemorating maritime commerce, key figures symbolize the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by coral, fish, shells and pearls, whereas a ship symbolizes Paris flanked by dolphins.
Tranquil moments on the Medici Fountain within the Luxembourg Gardens.
Fontaine Médicis
Some of the romantic Paris fountains is the Medici Fountain within the sixth arrondissement, near the Senate in a quiet north-east nook of the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was commissioned by Marie de’ Medici round 1630 for her palace on the Left Financial institution (now the Luxembourg Palace), and takes inspiration from Florence’s Boboli Gardens. It was moved to the current website close by and expanded in 1864 to 1866.
Sculptor Auguste Ottin added the figures from Greek mythology, together with bronze cyclops Polyphemus discovering white marble lovers Acis and Galatea. Within the fable the jealous large kills human Acis, so sea-nymph Galatea transforms her useless lover into an immortal river spirit. The lengthy reflecting pool in entrance is fringed with charming flowers and foliage. Eagle-eyed guests can even spot a second fountain of Leda and the Swan hidden across the again.
Stroll across the Trocadéro fountains.
Fontaine du Trocadéro
The Trocadéro Fountain, or Fontaine de Varsovie (Warsaw), is an enormous fountain within the sixteenth’s Trocadéro Backyard. It sits immediately throughout the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, backdropped by the Palais de Chaillot, so makes for nice photographs. Created for the 1937 Worldwide Exposition of Artwork and Know-how in Fashionable Life, its lengthy, rectangular basin, or “water mirror,” is flanked by 12 fountains producing columns of water 12 meters excessive; 24 smaller fountains shoot 4 meters excessive, with 10 water arches. Twenty dramatic water canons additionally mission water 50 meters within the air. Picnic on the garden and benefit from the fountain’s cooling breeze and dazzling shows.
Discover out extra about this historic fountain close to the Eiffel Tower.
Fontaine de Mars
For distinctive fountain with an sudden historical past, take a look at the Fontaine de Mars on rue Saint-Dominique. Our stunning shared fractional residence in Paris referred to as the Fontaine de Mars takes its title from its iconic setting overlooking the historic Fontaine de Mars within the seventh arrondissement. See our current weblog put up for classic photographs of the fountain and a historical past lesson about it from Paris Good founder Madelyn. The fountain is flanked by well-known bistro La Fontaine de Mars.
The spectacular Fontaine de l’Observatoire within the Luxembourg Gardens. (credit score)
Fontaine de l’Observatoire
Vacationers will recognize the spectacular Fontaine de l’Observatoire within the sixth district’s Jardin Marco Polo on the south finish of Jardin du Luxembourg. Surrounded by eight rearing horses, it’s topped with a globe held aloft by 4 feminine statues signifying Europe, America, Asia and Africa (its different title is the “Fountain of the 4 Components of the World”). Commissioned by Baron Haussmann, it’s by Napoleon III’s sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and was inaugurated in 1874. Particulars embody zodiac indicators and turtles spurting water.
Cease for a relaxation to admire the Fontaine des Innocents. (credit score)
Fontaine des Innocents
The oldest of Paris’s monumental public fountains, the grand Fontaine des Innocents dates from 1550 and the French Renaissance. It as soon as sat on Rue Saint-Denis, however is now within the sociable coronary heart of Place Joachim du Bellay within the Marais close to Les Halles within the 1st arrondissement. Initially named Fountain of the Nymphs, it commemorated Henry II’s entry into the town and was crafted by royal sculptor Jean Goujon. Admire its nymphs and legendary sea creatures whereas perching on its round edge.
Stunning Wallace fountain in entrance of Shakespeare & Firm.
Bonus: Fancy a drink?
Much less fancy however extra useful, the town’s 107 Wallace Fountains have been offering Paris with clear ingesting water for 150 years. These ornamental public water fountains have been a philanthropic present from Englishman Sir Richard Wallace. First put in from 1872, they’re primarily comprised of darkish inexperienced forged iron. Look out for them in your wanders, take a self-guided tour or simply refill your water bottle.
