On a crisp Geneva afternoon, the Fontaine Wallace stands proudly on the Promenade des Bastions, a symbol of generosity and Parisian flair. This exquisite cast-iron fountain, designed by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, was a gift from Sir Richard Wallace, a wealthy philanthropist. Sir Richard was a huge Francophile and wanted to give back to the city that had welcomed him with open arms. He was particularly moved by the plight of Parisians during the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent Commune, and he believed that access to clean drinking water was a basic human right.
The Fontaine Wallace, with its four caryatids representing kindness, simplicity, charity, and sobriety, is a beautiful example of how art and practicality can come together. Its intricate design, with its pointed dome decorated by dolphins, will leave you speechless. Wallace’s fountains became a symbol of Paris, and they can be found in many other cities around the world. But this one, in Geneva, is a testament to the power of philanthropy and the enduring legacy of a man who wanted to make the world a better place.