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Origin and history

The Medici aqueduct, also called aqueduct of the waters of Rungis, was commissioned by Marie de Medici in the early seventeenth century to supply drinking water to Paris. Initiated in 1612 under the direction of Jean Coingt, then taken over by his son-in-law Jean Gobelain, the work began officially with the laying of the first stone by Louis XIII on 17 July 1613. The objective was twofold: to supply the left bank of Paris, then abandoned, and to supply the fountains of the Palais du Luxembourg, under construction for the Regent. It was put into service in 1623, but public distribution began only in 1628.

The original route of 12.9 km connected the square of the waters of Rungis to the castle of the Observatory in Paris, crossing Fresnes, L-Haÿ-les-Roses, Cachan, Arcueil, Gentilly and the 14th arrondissement. Its underground route, marked by 21 glances (including 3 classified historical monuments), partially follows that of an earlier Gallo-Roman aqueduct. The only aerial structure, the Arcueil-Cachan Water Bridge (379 m long), crosses the Bièvre Valley and is classified as a historical monument. The gallery, 1 metre wide and vaulted, always allows a dry walk on part of its route.

Aqueduct was initially fed by the Rungis springs, captured via a square of quadrilateral waters. From the 1650s, additional sources (such as the Pirouette at Rungis or the Fountain Pesée at Cachan) were connected to increase the flow from 1,280 m3/day to a larger volume. In the 19th century, changes were made: the Parisian part was declassified under the Second Empire, and the waters were redirected to the Pantheon reservoirs, then to Lake Montsouris after 1904. Today, the lake, still in operation, is fed mainly by the waters of the Paray plain and the hillsides of the Bièvre.

Owned by the City of Paris and managed by Eau de Paris, the Medici aqueduct is partially listed and classified as historical monuments. Its historic role was crucial for the water supply on the left bank, then underequipped, and for the beautification of the Luxembourg Palace. Despite the massive urbanization of the Val-de-Marne, which has tarried most of the original sources, the work remains an exceptional testimony of the hydraulic engineering of the seventeenth century. Some views, such as Rungis's (known as "Louis XIII look"), are accessible and enhanced by heritage associations.

Water quality, formerly known for its clarity, deteriorated with urbanization in the 20th century. A 1996 analysis revealed high levels of nitrates, sulphates and bacteria, making water unfit for consumption. In spite of this, the aqueduct retains a major heritage value, illustrated by objects, drawings and models preserved at the Carnival Museum. His history is also documented by specialized works such as those of Philippe Laporte or the association for the Protection of Historical Paris.

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