Last month I went to see a fascinating exhibition at the Carnavalet Museum in the Marais about the Fontaine des Innocents. Located near Les Halles, the legendary fountain which inspired artists for centuries after it was constructed, has recently been cleaned and renovated.
The fountain was first constructed in 1548 and was designed by architect Pierre Lescot with the sculptures created by Jean Goujon.
The fountain was moved three different times over the centuries, and the current fountain was moved in 1860 to Place Joachim-du-Bellay, on the former site of the Les Halles marketplace. In recent years the fountain hasn’t been functioning and became rundown and decrepit. In 2023 the city devoted 5,000,000 euros to renovate the fountain, and it was completed just before the Olympics, with the fountains now working.
Various nymphs adorn each side of the fountain and the bas- reliefs represent nymph and Triton, Nymph and a little genie on a sea dragon, and Nymph and a little genie on a sea horse.
Place Joachim-du-Bellay, 75001
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