Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The fountain of the Petite-Halle, also known as the Montreuil fountain, is an iconic building in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It owes its name to the meat-covered market, La Petite-Halle, erected in 1643 by the abbesse of Saint-Antoine-des-Champs, who then held the monopoly of the sale of meat in this suburb. This market, which has now disappeared, has long marked the identity of the neighbourhood, combining the fountain with its commercial and religious history.

Located at the southern limit of the 11th arrondissement, on the central land of the rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, the fountain is located at the intersection of the historic roads leading to Vincennes and Montreuil. At the time of its construction, it was facing Saint-Antoine-des-Champs Abbey, a major place in the suburbs. Today, it is aligned with the entrance to Saint-Antoine Hospital and accessible via the Faidherbe-Chaligny metro station. Its location reflects its central role in the daily life of the neighbourhood, between traffic, commerce and care.

Designed by the architect Jean Beausire and commissioned by the municipality, the fountain was built in 1719 by order of Louis XV, who placed the first stone himself. The square monument is distinguished by its pilasters, triangular pediment and concave niches decorated with metal mascarons from which the water flows. Although planned with a rock decoration and a dome, these elements have never been realized, leaving room for a sober attic. The fountain was listed as a historic monument on June 4, 1962, recognizing its heritage value.

Architecturally, the fountain combines cut stone and sculptural elements, such as blind arches with a salient key and lateral oculus. The mascarons, stylized human figures, recall the Baroque fountains of the time, while its isolation in the middle of the carriageway makes it a visual landmark. Despite the absence of its original rock decoration, it preserves a classical elegance, witness to urban developments during the reign of Louis XV.

Historically, the fountain is part of a series of five fountains ordered by Louis XV in 1719 to improve the water supply of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, then in full expansion artisanal and demographic. This district, known for its cabinetmakers and artisans, benefited from an essential infrastructure, reflecting the attention paid by the monarchy to the needs of the Parisian suburbs. Its registration in 1962 preserved this heritage, now owned by the city of Paris.

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