Is that the Fontaine du Palmier before you? This fountain tells a tale of Parisian ambition and Napoleonic glory. It stands in Place du Châtelet. This location has a rich history.
Before the fountain, a fortress once stood here. The Grand Châtelet loomed large. It dated back to the 9th century. Louis VI later extended it. The fortress became a prison known for its harsh conditions. Torture was common.
The revolutionary government decided to demolish it in 1792. But demolition didn’t begin until 1802. It lasted eight years. The major market was also removed. The aim was to improve access and infrastructure.
Napoleon I wanted to improve the city’s water supply. So, he decreed fifteen new fountains in 1806. The Fontaine du Châtelet was one of them. It celebrated Napoleon’s victories. Its decorative scheme showed Lodi. Arcole, Rivoli, Pyramids, Mont Thabor, Marengo, Austerlitz, Ulm, Jena, Eylau, Danzig, and Friedland were also shown. These victories were inscribed around the column’s shaft.
The column’s capital has a palm frieze. This inspired the name Fontaine du Palmier. Louis Boizot sculpted the statue of Victory. It stands at the column’s summit. He also created the cardinal virtues. Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Strength are set around the base. Water flowed into the basin. It came from horns of plenty decorated with dolphin heads.
The Fontaine du Palmier stands 59 feet tall. That’s about 18 meters. It is a monumental fountain. It was designed by François-Jean Bralle. He oversaw Paris’s fountains and water supply. Construction finished in 1808. It was meant to provide fresh water to the neighborhood.
Look closely at the statue of Victory. People sometimes mistake it for a bird. The current statue is a copy. The original is in the Carnavalet Museum’s courtyard.
The lower basin and pedestal of sphinx heads came later. They were added in 1858. Haussmann renovated the square. The fountain moved temporarily.
Consider the fountain’s design. It is modeled after a Roman triumphal column. The palm leaves at the top commemorate Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. The bronze bands pay tribute to Napoleon’s victories.
Take a moment to appreciate the four virtues. Vigilance, Justice, Strength, and Prudence surround the column’s base. Notice the Egyptian sphinxes. They spout streams of water. Henri Alfred Jacquemart sculpted them.
The Fontaine du Palmier remains the largest fountain from Napoleon’s reign. It is a testament to his vision. It also serves as a reminder of Paris’s ever-evolving urban landscape. The Fontaine du Palmier has witnessed history unfold around it. It stands as an enduring symbol of Parisian resilience and artistic expression.