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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Gaillon fountain, located at Place Gaillon in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, came into being in 1707 under the reign of Louis XIV. Originally designed by architect Jean Beausire, it was called the "Louis-le-Grand fountain". This first work marked the importance of urban hydraulics under the Old Regime, reflecting the monarchy's fascist by its style and central location.

At the beginning of the 19th century, between 1827 and 1828, the fountain was completely rebuilt and modified by architect Louis Visconti, at the service of Charles X. This renovation included a central marble sculpture by Georges Jacquot, representing a triton straddling a dolphin, surrounded by decorative elements such as abundant horns and aquatic plants. The secondary sculptures were entrusted to François Derre and Combette, illustrating the artistic know-how of the period.

Ranked a historic monument in 1925 for its architectural framework and public fountain, the work was the subject of several major restorations, notably in 1898, 1900 and 1971. These interventions, conducted by municipal architects such as Oberdoerffer, were aimed at preserving its aesthetic and functional integrity. Today, the Gaillon fountain remains an emblematic example of Parisian heritage, mixing royal heritage and 19th century transformations.

Its Renaissance style, characterized by a double basin and marine motifs, is part of the tradition of fountains decorated with the capital. The decorative niche, with its dolphins and abundant horns, symbolizes both the technical mastery of water and the artistic ideal of prosperity. These elements make it a remarkable place, at the crossroads of public utility and urban beautification.

Historical sources, such as the writings of Félix de Rochegude (1910) or the studies of the Société de l'histoire de l'art français (1958), highlight his role in the history of Parisian developments. The Gaillon fountain thus embodies the stylistic and political evolutions of Paris, from the reign of Louis XIV to the republican restorations.

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