Isn’t it interesting how a place can be a crossroads both literally and figuratively? Welcome to Place du Colonel Bourgoin. This square resides in the 12th arrondissement. It marks the meeting point of three distinct Parisian neighborhoods. These are Bercy, Picpus, and Quinze-Vingts.
Place du Colonel Bourgoin has a vaguely triangular shape. Its south side stretches about 60 meters. The east side forms nearly a right angle. The north and west sides create a large quarter circle. They lie between Rue Érard and Rue de Charenton.
But who was Colonel Bourgoin? This place is named in honor of Pierre-Louis Bourgoin. He was a former resistance fighter. He also served as a deputy of the arrondissement. Bourgoin lived from 1907 to 1970. The Place du Colonel Bourgoin was officially named in 1972.
Before its current name Place du Colonel Bourgoin, this area was known as Place de Rambouillet. That name came from the Rue de Rambouillet, which converges here. The square’s origins trace back to the 19th century. It was created on land that was once part of Rue de Charenton.
Look around you at Place du Colonel Bourgoin. Notice the Fontaine de Rambouillet. It stands proudly at the center of Place du Colonel Bourgoin. It is also known as Fontaine Hermann or Fontaine Crozatier. Gabriel Davioud designed this large fountain. It features two basins and multiple water jets. Engineer Hermann gifted it to Paris in 1845. It even appeared at the 1867 Exposition Universelle. The fountain was installed on the Place du Colonel Bourgoin in 1883. Imagine the summer evenings here. An orchestra played from a platform above the fountain. People danced until 1939.
In 2004, residents expressed their desire for more greenery. A survey revealed that a majority favored reducing car space. They wanted to expand the central space and sidewalks. The goal was to plant more trees.
Consider how Place du Colonel Bourgoin connects different facets of Parisian life. It bridges neighborhoods. It carries history in its name and structures. It evolves with the needs and desires of its residents. Take a moment to appreciate this Parisian crossroad.