Wallace fountain


Wallace fountains are public drinking fountains named after, financed by and roughly designed by Sir Richard Wallace and sculpted by Charles-Auguste Lebourg. They are large cast-iron sculptures scattered throughout the city of Paris, France, mainly along the most-frequented sidewalks. A great aesthetic success, they are recognized worldwide as one of the symbols of Paris. A Wallace fountain can be seen outside the Wallace Collection in London, the gallery that houses the works of art collected by Sir Richard Wallace and the first four Marquesses of Hertford.

Sir Richard Wallace

was an eclectic and reserved philanthropist. Having inherited a large fortune from his father in August 1870, he decided that all Parisians should profit from it, which made him popular. Wallace's devotion led him to remain in his Parisian villa even as the city was besieged, rather than take refuge on one of his palatial estates, so as to be in Paris when he was needed.
He founded a hospital, where he personally welcomed victims of the bombings and distributed supplies, among his other efforts on behalf of Parisians at war. He remained faithful to his adopted nation, France, and is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Of his numerous contributions to Parisian heritage, the best known today are the fountains which bear his name.

Purpose

As a result of the siege of Paris and the Commune episode, many aqueducts had been destroyed, and the price of water, already higher than normal, increased considerably. Because of this, most of the poor had to pay for water. Moreover, most of the water provided by vendors was drawn from the Seine river and was likely to be dirty, as run-off from streets and many of sewers drained into it. Hence it was safer to drink beer or other alcoholic beverages, which were almost as cheap as water. The temptation to take to liquor was strong among the lower classes, and it was considered a moral duty to keep them from falling into alcoholism. Even today, when water and hygiene are not a problem for the majority of Parisians, these fountains are often the only sources of free water for the homeless.
The poor are not the only beneficiaries of these installations. Even if the aim of the fountains was to allow people of modest means to have access to drinking water, they are not the only ones who use them. Anyone passing by may quench his thirst, fulfilling this vital need. There was already a programme of constructing temperance fountains in both the United States and in the United Kingdom.
Not only did the fountains accomplish Wallace's philosophy of helping the needy, but they also beautified Paris.

Conception

Richard Wallace intended the fountains to be beautiful as well as useful. The fountains had to meet several strict guidelines:
  • Height: They had to be tall enough to be seen from afar but not so tall as to destroy the harmony of the surrounding landscape.
  • Form: Both practical to use and pleasing to the eye.
  • Price: Affordable enough to allow the installation of dozens.
  • Materials: Resistant to the elements, easy to shape, and simple to maintain.
The locations, as well as the color, were quickly chosen by the city government.
Wallace created two different models, which were followed by two additional models, thus there were four types of Wallace fountains varying in such properties as height and motif. They were made of cast iron. Inexpensive, easy to mold, and robust, it was one of the most popular materials of the age. The majority of the cost was paid for by Wallace. The city of Paris allocated 1,000 francs for the large model and 450 francs for the wall-mounted model.
The fountains are still cast by the historical foundry G.H.M..

Sculptor

Wishing that his project be completed as rapidly as possible, Wallace called on Charles-Auguste Lebourg, a sculptor from Nantes whom he knew and whose talents were already renowned. Lebourg improved Wallace's sketches, already studied and thought-provoking, to make the fountains true works of art.
For the large model, Lebourg created four caryatids representing kindness, simplicity, charity and sobriety. Each one is different from her sisters, by the way she bends her knees and where her tunic is tucked into her blouse.

Different models

The first two models were conceived and financed by Sir Richard Wallace. The two other models were created following the success of their predecessors inspired by the same styles and the resemblance is obvious. The more recent designs are not as strongly steeped in Wallace's aesthetic ideals, that in true Renaissance style, they should be useful, beautiful, and symbolic, in addition to being real works of art.

Large model

The large model was conceived by Sir Richard Wallace, and was inspired by the Fontaine des Innocents. On a foundation of Hauteville stone rests an octagonal pedestal on which four caryatids are affixed with their backs turned and their arms supporting a pointed dome decorated by dolphins.
The water is distributed in a slender trickle issuing from the center of the dome and falls down into a basin that is protected by a grille. To make distribution easier, two tin-plated, iron cups attached to the fountain by a small chain were at the drinker's desire, staying always submerged for cleanliness. These cups were removed in 1952 "for Hygiene reasons" by demand of the Council of Public Hygiene of the old Department of the Seine.
''For more information, see the .''

Wall-mounted model

Sir Richard's other model. In the middle of a semi-circular pediment, the head of a naiad issues a trickle of water that falls into a basin resting between two pilasters. Two goblets allowed the water to be drunk, but they were retired under the 1952 law cited above. This model, costing little to install, was to have been many units along the lengths of the walls of buildings with strong humanitarian focus, e.g. hospitals. This was not the case, and they do not remain today except for one situated on the Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.

Small model

These are simple pushbutton fountains that one can find in squares and public gardens and are marked with the Parisian Seal. They are familiar to mothers who bring their children to play in the many small parks in Paris.
Measuring only 4'-3" and weighing 286 lbs., they were commissioned by the mayor of Paris more frequently than its older sister models.

Colonnade model

This model was the last to be realized. The general shape resembles that of the Large Model and the caryatids were replaced with small columns to reduce the cost of fabrication. The dome was also less pointy and the lower part more curved.
Although 30 of these were made, today there remain only two, one on the Rue de Rémusat and the other on the Avenue des Ternes.

Placement

The choice of the location of the fountains was left to the city of Paris. They needed to be placed at the will of the public in a practical manner and integrated in the most harmonious fashion with the environment. Most were placed in squares or at the intersections of two roads. The responsibility for choosing such locations fell to Eugene Belgrand, a hydraulic engineer and Director of Water and Sewers of Paris who worked with the prefect Georges-Eugène Haussmann.

Today

Most of the 100 grand model Wallace fountains currently in Paris function and distribute perfectly potable water. Once, these fountains were rare points of free water in the city, much to the relief of the homeless and poor. Today, they are among more than 1,200 points of free, clean drinking water dispensed to citizens and visitors by the city water company, Eau de Paris.
The fountains work from March 15 to November 15, are regularly maintained and are repainted every few years.
They are an integral part of the Parisian landscape, of the same importance as the Eiffel Tower or the street urchins of Montmartre.
In Amélie, the cinegraphic piece about the glory of Parisian folklore, Jean-Pierre Jeunet baptised a personality Madeleine Wallace, although the English subtitled version renamed the character of Madeleine, to Madeleine Wells for cultural understanding.
Wallace fountains have been a beloved part of the Paris streetscape for almost 150 years. However, only two Wallace fountains, both located in the Place Louis Lépine, are classified as registered historic monuments.
In 2018, the Society of the Wallace Fountains was registered in France as an international, non-profit association governed by the French law of July 1901. The Society's purpose is education and information. Its mission is to promote, preserve and protect the Wallace fountains for future generation. In addition, the Society recognizes and encourages partnerships for the common good in the spirit of Sir Richard Wallace.

Locations

Paris (2024)

Large fountains

2nd arrondissement
  • Rue Saint-Spire, Rue d'Alexandrie
3rd arrondissement
4th arrondissement
5th arrondissement
  • Rue Poliveau, face Rue de l'Essai
  • Place Maubert
  • 37, rue de la Bûcherie
  • Rue des Patriarches / Place Bernard Halpern
  • Rue de l'Estrapade / Rue Thouin
  • Rue Geoffroy Saint Hilarie / Rue Poliveau
  • Rue Saint-Jacques
6th arrondissement
  • Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés
  • Place Saint-Sulpice
  • Pont Neuf, Quai des Grands Augustins
  • Rue Vavin, at the Rue Bréa
  • Place Saint-André-des-Arts
  • Place du 18-Juin-1940
7th arrondissement
  • Musée des Égouts, Pont de l'Alma
8th arrondissement
  • Rue de St-Pétersbourg, at the Rue de Turin
  • Av. des Champs-Élysées, Chevaux de Marly
  • Av. des Champs-Élysées, Chevaux de Marly
  • 82 avenue Marceau
9th arrondissement
  • Place Gustave Toudouze
  • Place de Budapest
  • Rue Bourdalue
10th arrondissement
  • Place Juliette Dodu
  • Place Jacques Bonsergent
  • Place Robert Desnos
  • Marché Saint-Quentin
11th arrondissement
12th arrondissement
  • Rue de Charenton / Boulevard Diderot
  • Cours de Vincennes, face Blvd de Picpus
  • Angle de St-Mandé, at the Rue du Rendez-vous
  • Rue Descot, Square E Thomas, face Mairie du XIIe arrondissement
  • Rue de Montempoivre / Rue de la Vega
  • Avenue Lamoricière / Rue Fernand Foureau
  • Avenue Daumesnil / Rue de Charenton
13th arrondissement
  • Place de la Commune de Paris: Rue de la Butte-aux-Cailles at Rue de l'Espérance
  • Rue Richemont / Rue Domremy
  • Place Jean-Delay
  • Université Paris Diderot / Esplanade Pierre Vidal-Naquet
  • Rue des Fréres d'Astier / Place Albert Londres
  • ZAC Baudricourt, 66, avenue d'Ivry
  • Jardin Georges Duhamel / Rue Jean Anouilh
  • Rue Dumeril / Rue Jeanne d'Arc
  • Place Louis Armstrong / Blvd de l'Hôpital
  • Place Pierre Riboulet
14th arrondissement
  • Place de l'Abbé Jean Leboeuf
  • Rue d'Alésia / Rue Sarrette
  • Avenue du Maine, face Mairie du 14ème arrondissement
  • Place Denfert-Rochereau, at the Blvd Raspail
  • Place Edgard Quinet, at the Rue de la Gaîté
  • Place Jules Hénaffe
  • Avenue Reille, at the Avenue René Coty
  • 115, rue de la Tombe Issoire
  • 152 Avenue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier
15th arrondissement
  • Place Alain Chartier
  • Place Charles Vallin
  • Place du Comtat-Venaissin / Rue des Frères Morane
  • Place du Général Beuret
  • Place Henri Rollet
  • Hôpital Vaugirard
  • Rue des Morillons / Rue Brancion
  • Place Henri Quenelle / Boulevard Pasteur
  • Place Hobart Monmarche
16th arrondissement
  • 10, boulevard Delessert
  • Place Jean Lorrain
  • Place de Passy
  • Place du Père Marcellin Champagnat
  • 194, avenue de Versailles
17th arrondissement
  • Place Aimé Maillart / Rue Pierre Demours
  • Place Charles Fillion / Place du Docteur-Félix-Lobligeois
  • Place de Lévis
  • 15, avenue Niel
  • Place Richard Baret / Rue Mariotte
  • 112, avenue de Villiers / Place Maréchal Juin
  • 12, boulevard des Batignolles / Place de Clichy
18th arrondissement
  • Place des Abbesses
  • Place du Château-Rouge / Rue Custine
  • Place Emile Goudeau
  • Rue de la Goutte d'or, at the Rue de Chartres
  • 42, boulevard Rochechouart
  • Rue Saint-Eleuthère, at the Rue Azaïs
  • Place Michel Petrucciani
  • Rue Henri Brisson-Blvd Ney
  • Rue de la Chapelle-Rue Raymond Queneau
19th arrondissement
  • Rue Lally Tollendal / Rue Armand Carrel
  • Ave Simon Bolivar / Rue Manin
  • 106, rue Meaux at the Rue du Rhin
  • 125, rue Meaux / Rue Petit
  • Boulevard Sérurier / Passage des Mauxins
20th arrondissement
  • Rue d'Avron / Rue Tolain
  • 1, rue Eugène Belgrand / Mairie du 20ème
  • Place Édith Piaf
  • Place Maurice Chevalier
  • 29, boulevard de Ménilmontant / Cimetière du Père Lachaise
  • Place Joseph Epstein / Rue des Partants
  • Place Octave Chanute
  • Rue Piat, face au square

Small fountains

1st arrondissement
3rd arrondissement
4th arrondissement
  • Place Louis Lepine
  • Quai de la Corse
  • Square Albert Schweitzer
  • Place Louis XIII
6th arrondissement
  • Square Laurent-Prache
7th arrondissement
11th arrondissement
12th arrondissement
  • Av de la Belle Gabrielle at Av de Nogent
  • Route de la Dame Blanche
  • Coulée Verte / Rue Charles Bossut
  • Coulée Verte / Passage Gatbois
  • Coulée Verte / Rue Traversière
  • Square Charles Péguy
13th arrondissement
  • Place Paul Verlaine
  • Quai d'Austerlitz, Rue de Bellièvre
  • Jardin Cyprian-Norwid
14th arrondissement
  • Maison du Fontainier
  • 75 Rue Didot
15th arrondissement
  • Place Alain Chartier
  • Place Cambronne
  • Square Castagnary
  • 19, place du Commerce
  • 35, boulevard Pasteur
  • Place Saint Charles
  • Square Pablo Casals
  • Square de la Porte de la Plaine
16th arrondissement
18th arrondissement
  • Square Suzanne Buisson
19th arrondissement
  • Parc des Buttes-Chaumont-avenue Jacques-de-Linières
  • 53 Quai de la Seine
20th arrondissement
  • Square de Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix

Colonnaded fountains

16th arrondissement
  • Rue de Rémusat, at the Rue de Mirabeau
17th arrondissement
  • Avenue des Ternes, at the Place Pierre Demours

Wall-mounted model

5th arrondissement

France outside Paris

  • Marseille
  • * Allées Gambetta
  • * Place Bernard Cadenat
  • * Parc du Palais Longchamp
  • * Place Jean-Jaurès
  • * Rue des Trois-Rois / Rue des Trois-Mages
  • * Place Edmond Rostand
  • * Place du Terrail
  • * Place Louis Goudard
  • Sucy-en-Brie – 11, rue du Temple, Place du la Metairie 94370
  • Nantes – The sculptor who created the fountains, Charles Auguste Lebourg, was originally from Nantes. In addition to the Parisian fountains, a few were placed in Nantes in honor of their creator:
  • * Place de la Bourse
  • * Parc de la Gaudinière
  • * Jardin des plantes, near the botanical garden
  • * Jardin des Plantes, Boulevard Stalingrad, bas du jardin, near the entrance to "Gare SNCF"
  • * Cours Cambronne
  • Bordeaux
  • * On 6 October 1873, another philanthropist, Daniel Osiris, ordered six Large Model Fountains and asked the community of Bordeaux to install them. Three surviving fountains are to be found at:
  • ** Place du Général Sarrail
  • ** Jardin Public
  • ** Gardens of the Hôtel de Ville
  • : More recent fountains are to be found at:
  • * Place Mitchell
  • * Cours Xavier Arnozan
  • * Place Stalingrad
  • * Place Porto-Riche
  • Agen – on the Rue Grenouilla at the Boulevard de la République
  • Clermont-Ferrand – between the Rue du 11 novembre and the Place de Jaude
  • Puteaux – on the Boulevard Richard Wallace
  • Saint-Denis, Réunion – inside the Jardin de l'État
  • Toulon – at the city's municipal halls
  • Pau – corner of the Boulevard de la Paix and the Avenue de Buros
  • Besançon – in the Jardin Granvelle

Europe outside France

  • Barcelona – Twelve fountains were donated to Barcelona for the 1888 World Fair. Three remain:
  • * La Rambla avenue, next to the wax museum.
  • * Intersection of Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes with Passeig de Gràcia. One of the 4 caryatids is affectionately nicknamed Vera.
  • * Office premises of the Barcelona water distribution company in the district of Collblanc.
  • Constanta, Romania - The Parc of the Municipality
  • Ferrol, Galicia – on the Reina Sofia park. Donated by Juan Romero Rodriguez to the city of Ferrol after he purchased it for 1000 reales at the Exposition Universelle of 1889 in Paris.
  • Geneva – Promenade des Bastions
  • Lisbon – Rossio
  • Lisburn – Two fountains:
  • * Castle Gardens
  • * Market Square, now relocated to Wallace Park, Lisburn
  • Moscow – In the court-yard of Alekseevskaya pumping station
  • Pontremoli, Italy – on the southern corner of Piazza Unità d'Italia
  • Rotterdam – One, possibly two fountains:
  • * Oud-Charlois, on the corner of Kaatsbaan and Charloisse Kerksingel
  • * 'De Vier Gratiën', donated in 1883 by Maarten Mees to the city of Rotterdam. Initially installed in the pre-war Beursplein, it was relocated several times before ultimately disappearing from a contractor's storage in 2002. It remains unknown whether Rotterdam ever really had two fountains, or just the one, making De Vier Gratiën one and the same fountain found in Oud-Charlois.
  • Zürich – In Pestalozzi Park along the Bahnhofstrasse.

Africa

  • Maputo, Mozambique – in the Jardim Tunduru Botanical Gardens

North America

South America

Asia