Where art and practicality combine
If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Paris and stumbled on a deep-green cast-iron fountain adorned with sculpted female figures, you’ve met one of the lovely Wallace Fountains. In the video below for The Paris Plan I share some history about them as they are one of my favourite street furnitures in Paris.
Wallace Fountains
Back in the late 19th century, the philanthropist Sir Richard Wallace commissioned a series of free public drinking fountains for the poorer classes to to have access to drinking water. They were elegant, practical, and beautifully designed. Over time, they became more than mere water sources: they’re pieces of art, scattered across Paris neighbourhoods.
When you spot one, pause for a moment, have a sip or fill up your water bottle to save on plastic. Notice the sculpted “caryatids” (female figures) forming the canopy, the detailed cast iron work, the way the fountain fits into the street scene. These fountains are a reminders of a city that cares about design and public space.
Take a Fountain Crawl! Read about more street furniture in Paris
You can actually take a Wallace Fountain crawl! You’ll find the map here: wallacefountains.org.
And if your interest goes beyond fountains into the wider architectural story of the City of Light, I’d love you to take a look at my book, The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris. It’s full of buildings, façades, street furniture and more stories like this (there is actually a chapter on fountains). Check it out here . All my books are also linked here.
Keep your eyes open and stay hydrated!
So next time you’re in Paris, keep your eyes open. Pause at the green cast-iron fountain, maybe take a sip, maybe just take in its quiet elegance. For me, these everyday objects carry a kind of magic: they link the city’s past to its present, its utility to its aesthetics. Walk slowly, listen to the street sounds, and refresh yourself.
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