Beneath Boulevard Jourdan lies a story etched in stone. Today we are standing before the Porte d’Arcueil. This gate, one of many in the Thiers wall, was built in the mid-19th century. It was designed to protect Paris. This was one of the access points to Paris established in 1860.
The Porte d’Arcueil sits in the 14th arrondissement. Look north of Avenue David Weill. This avenue was once named Avenue de la Porte d’Arcueil.
On the Thiers wall, the Porte d’Arcueil is positioned between the Porte d’Orléans to the east and the Porte de Gentilly to the west. The gate controlled the entrance to the Chemin des Prêtres. This area was part of Gentilly. Paris annexed it in 1925.
Part of the inner gate has been absorbed by Rue Émile-Deutsch-de-La-Meurthe. The outer part is now Avenue David-Weill.
Why is it named Porte d’Arcueil? Because it leads to Arcueil. The Porte d’Arcueil benefits from its location near the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris and Parc Montsouris. The park’s south entrance is directly accessible from the gate.
Not far from here, you can find a unique structure. It’s officially named Pavillon de la porte d’Arcueil. But it is more commonly known as Poste d’Arcueil. Built around 1930, it stands above the aqueducts of the Vanne and the Loing. These aqueducts carry spring water to the Montsouris reservoir.
Since 2017, the water from the Loing and Voulzie aqueducts has been treated with UV light here. This reduces the risk of parasites and microbes. The UV reactors are installed six meters underground to minimize the impact on the landscape.
The building is topped with a metal diadem. It is a work by Claude Lévêque titled “Tchaïkovski.” The shimmering effect created by passersby is meant to evoke flowing water.
This is the only place in Paris where you can enter a working aqueduct and see water flowing beneath your feet. Oddly enough, the inscription on the small fountain on the building’s facade reads: “eau non potable!” or “non-drinkable water”.
The Pavillon de la Porte d’Arcueil has been open to the public for visits. It serves as a space for Parisians to learn about water. Specifically, it focuses on water from the south and southeast of the capital. The building combines a modern superstructure by Claude Leveque. It also features two neoclassical-inspired fountains. These fountains depict a man and woman. They symbolize the gift of water and life.
So, as we stand here at the Porte d’Arcueil, remember its layers of history. From a defensive gate to a gateway for knowledge about Parisian water.