Paris Tips: Keeping Cool at the Wallace Fountains
By Theadora Brack
Feeling all parched while you’re out and about in Paris? What to do? What to do? Follow my lead. I’ve got you covered!
Fortunately, there are 108 historic “fontaines Wallace“ and three functional “puits artésien” (artesian wells). Situated around the city’s busiest squares and at intersections in each arrondissement, the drinking water is free for sipping.
So grab an empty bottle!
Meet Sir Richard Wallace
Rewind! “Les fontaines Wallace” were named after the British philanthropist and art collector Sir Richard Wallace, who generously financed the installation of 50 fountains throughout Paris after the Franco-Prussian War left the city with almost no clean drinking water.
Brasserie des quatre femmes
Designed by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, these cast iron fountains in four versions remain iconic darlings of the Paris streetscape. Uniformly painted a deep emerald green, they’re easy to spot.
The largest model, nicknamed the “Brasserie des quatre femmes” (brewery of the four women), flaunts four fetching caryatids, symbolizing kindness, simplicity, charity, and sobriety. Curvacious stunners, the figures are draped in sinuous tunics that are pinned just-so to reveal a handsome knee. Oh, la la!
Fountain of Youth
My favorite “puit artésien” in Paris is located in Butte-aux-Cailles (Quail Hill) at Place Paul-Verlaine in the 13th arrondissement. This historic well has been gushing forth since 1866. It’s definitely worth a sip. My actor friend Nausicaa calls it her “fountain of youth.”
Tip! After topping off your bottle, check out the surrounding hilly, cobblestoned neighborhood. Once an infamous red light district (quail was slang for prostitute), Butte-aux-Cailles now offers an impressive number of cheap eats, bars, and shops. Hello, time travel.
Finally, here’s a cinematic tidbit: In the 2001 film “The fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain,” Amélie’s concierge in Abbesses was named “Madeleine Wallace” because she cried like a Wallace fountain!
Clipping from Francophile Ben Franklin, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water, my friend.” Bottoms up!
Can’t resist…gotta say it — Theadora, you are a fountain of information.
: )
LikeLike
Dear Water Over Fire, Ha! Good one!! Theadora
LikeLike
Gotta say it…………almost missed the scarf on the statue at Jardin des Tuileries due to the hottie in the shorts without the shirt! Thank goodness the heart was recently repaired!!
LikeLike
Tin Man, I know! I know! I fell head over heels for the entire gang. They were very sweet! Theadora (Sending more big hugs!!)
LikeLike
excellent reportage
LikeLike
Well, thank you! Research is a pleasure. Theadora (I loved your “Life’s Little Pleasures” poem. Beautiful!)
LikeLike
Very nice
LikeLike
Thanks, Deano! And speaking of water, I really enjoyed your recent whale post. Gorgeous shots!! Theadora
LikeLike
Thanks for taking a look. I will have another whale posting soon. Saw 5 Gray Whales today 🙂 Will have to keep a note on some of these Paris destinations, hope to return there this year for the first time since 1994!
LikeLike
…and you even have cinematic tidbits! Go you! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, yes. The post is incomplete without at least one cinematic tidbit!! And a Hemingway Quote. (wink) Theadora
LikeLike
Oh that we all could drink at the fountain of youth. Perhaps to dribble it over ones face and watch the wrinkles disappear. A refrshing post Miss Theadora. Virginia
LikeLike
Merci, Virginia! Well, I believe in the powers of the “puits artesian.” Perhaps Oswald the rabbit has frolicked at the magical fountain in hilly Butte-aux-Cailles?! Theadora
LikeLike
Oswald is the kind of rabbit that knows where all the secret natural springs are in France. And… he does spend a great deal of time in the Left Bank. I do believe you have discovered his secret of eternal youth. Virginia
LikeLike
Smart Rabbit. Trix are for (the cool) kids!! T.
LikeLike
They are so beautiful those fountains… miss them!
LikeLike
I agree! While “puits artésien,” with their over-sized faucets made of chrome, certainly possess that sleek French chic, my heart belongs to Wallace! Theadora
LikeLike
The Sunday morning shot at Place des Abbesses is wonderful. So evocative of your beautiful city. And so peaceful without the lunacy of Sunday trading which we have here.
LikeLike
Thank you, Gordon! Abbesses is one of my favorite spots on the planet. It feels very much like a village. On Sundays, the area is a pedestrian-only zone! Theadora
LikeLike
Every time a new post goes up; I get teary eyed, how I miss Paris and Europe in general. Great pictures and what a wonderfully full sense of Pariasian life.
LikeLike
Ah, thank you!! Theadora (Say, I’m still thinking about the post about your strawberry cream cake! Drool!!)
LikeLike
Love these! We’ll be sure to jot these stops down – we don’t want to get parched! Have a great weekend Theadora! xo
LikeLike
Thanks, Shira! You’ll find the fountains scattered all over the city. I’ll dig up a list for you. Enjoy the weekend!! Theadora (We both featured water this week!)
LikeLike
Love your blog, such good mix! Ann
LikeLike
Thank you, Ann!! Enjoy the weekend! Theadora (Perhaps it’s time for another sweets post?!)
LikeLike
So much wonderful info…and the photos, especially ‘Sunday Morning’ give such a great sense of being there!
Merci beaucoup, Theadora!
LikeLike
Merci!! As always, thanks for your thoughtful words! Enjoy the weekend, Theadora (It was a fun post to create. I’m now obsessed with the Wallace Fountains. What’s next? Perhaps the rather handsome Morris Columns?!)
LikeLike
I love Paris – miss it so much 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Stefan! You’re back. Thank goodness. I’ve missed seeing your work!! Theadora
LikeLike
I love that last picture too with the dappled shade. Can’t wait to go back there with new eyes now that you’ve pointed out all these wonderful things.
LikeLike
There’s a Wallace Fountain in the “place” in front of my apartment; I love these! Please check out my parisbycellphone.com blog today as I’ll be posting a photo of a statue in the Louvre that bears a striking resemblance to the caryatids and I wonder which design came first!
LikeLike
Hi Paul! Interesting! I’ve always loved Germain Pilon’s “Three Graces.” Pilon was Catherine de Medici’s favorite sculptor. I checked out your “Monument Monday: The Bastille and Three Graces with Heart” post. What dreamy shots! Your photograph of the Wallace Fountain is lovely. And they’re not easy to shoot! Theadora
Off now to spend more time with Germain Pilon and Charles-Auguste Lebourg. Great food for thought! Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi spent a great deal of time at the Louvre. Thanks for adding a little mystery!
LikeLike
Pingback: 2012-04-16 Monument Monday: The Bastille & Three Graces With Heart « Paris By Cell Phone
typiquement française
LikeLike
Oh. Yes! Theadora
LikeLike
You’re making me want to fast forward to summer with these post and pictures, Theadora. It is terribly cold and wet here in Holland at the moment that I even have to dig out my winter coat again.
I remember being in Paris at the height of summer and it was so hot that I even took my shoes off and waded through the fountains of the Louvre to freshen up my tired feet. 😉
LikeLike
Malou! I love your story about jumping into the fountain. That’s so very “Zelda Fitzgerald” of you! Wink. Location? Jardin des Tuileries? Theadoras
LikeLike
Bronzed statues, bronzed players, bronze wells . . . makes me want to head to a bronzage studio next time I’m in Paris! The fountains are refreshing–as are your images of them . . .
LikeLike
Thanks, Martino! Your words always make me smile. Theadora
LikeLike
Hi, Theadora! I just linked to this article on my blog. Check it out:
https://peopleplacesandbling.com/2012/04/13/paris-tips-keeping-cool-at-the-wallace-fountains/
LikeLike
Oops. Try this!
http://artteachtravel.com/2012/04/22/what-i-know-to-be-true/
LikeLike
Thanks, Anita! I’ll check it out! Theadora
LikeLike
Love the last photo especially.
LikeLike
Merci!! Place des Abbesses is quite the hub in the hood. Behind the Hector Guimard Art Nouveau entrance to the Métro Abbesses, you’ll find the “J’taime Wall.” It’s the perfect place for picnicking and book reading! Theadora (Also, there’s a book shop across the street. It’s a win-grin!)
LikeLike
I would be in heaven!
LikeLike
Water’s free coming in but costs something coming out. 🙂 Having just made a two-day road trip, I too appreciate water greatly!!
LikeLike
Yes! Funny! Perhaps I should create a post about the free “Powder Rooms” in Paris?! Theadora The new “luxury” WCs at the Louvre and Printemps are beauties. One euro buys you private seating in a water closet lit by rose-colored lights, and handsomely stocked with shocking fluorescent toilet tissues in pinks, greens, and blues. Oh, la la! Theadora
LikeLike
“Free Powder Rooms in Paris” has a definite (free) ring to it. I’d say “Go for it”, but that might not sound quite right. 🙂 The luxury WCs, though, sound like they’d be worth the investment. Oh, la, la, indeed!
LikeLike
Be still my heart. Those “hotties” in the Jardin des Tuil. Yes, I need one of the fountains to “cool” me off. Tom
LikeLike
I know. I know!! Theadora
LikeLike