I have written before on many things in Paris and sometimes I found me new things not yet in my blog that should be, This is the case lately of finding old paper pictures in my vault , and Paris is a huge part of it. I have written on many places of Paris ; this is another nice one to see on the off the beaten path trails of my Paris ; worth the detour, me think, Therefore, here is my take on the Fontaine des Innocents of Paris !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I
The Fontaine des Innocents, first called Fontaine des Nymphs, is located in the 1er arrondissement of Paris, on the current Place Joachim-du-Bellay in the Halles quartier or neighborhood, It is In Renaissance style, it has experienced various modifications and was moved on two occasions, This was the former Place des Innocents, and the site is serve by the metro train stations of Les Halles (line 4); Châtelet – Les Halles (lines A, B and D of the RER), and Châtelet (lines 1, 4, 7, 11 and 14).
It was done in a rectangular and not square in shape as today, therefore had only three arcades decorated with five naiads: two decorating the arcade of rue Saint-Denis, the other three sculpted on the two arcades giving in return on corner on Rue de Fer. An alignment of pilasters, of Corinthian order, framing each of the arcades supported a frieze and an attic with a triangular pediment. The whole was based on a base from which the water flowed by small mascarons. It had sculpture three naiads to complete the five of Goujon with a lion is arranged at each of the four angles. The original base is replaced by a series of bunk pools, provided to collect water which springs from a bronze basin placed in the center of the pavilion. The three bas-reliefs decorating the base, threatened with rapid deterioration by flowing water, are dismantled and deposited at the Louvre museum. The fountain is also wearing a small dome made up of metal leaves imitating the fish scales. This fountain has been dried up since 2017. The five nymphs of Jean Goujon have been deposited and replaced by copies of resin loaded with stone powder. The original nymphs exhibited at the Carnavalet museum until August 25, 2024 do not yet know their final destination, perhaps joining the bas-reliefs of this fountain kept at the Louvre museum.
The first fountain of the Innocents, backed by the church of the Saints-Innocents, at the corner of rue Saint-Denis and rue aux Fers (current rue Berger), about 40 meters from its current location, was established around 1260 during a period of strong growth in the city. It was in 1549 that the current fountain replaced that of 1260, under the reign of King Henri II and his wife, Catherine de Médicis. With its 475 years, it is the oldest fountain in the city. It was fed by a terracotta conduct bringing the waters of the sources of the pre-Saint-Gervais which also served the Saint-Lazare priory, the Daughter-Dieu convent and the Ponceau fountain,The form of loggia, originally celebrated the entrance to the king in Paris on the return of the coronation of Reims, in particular those of Jean Le Bon, Charles V, of Charles VI , Charles VII on November 12, 1437 and Charles VIII on July 5, 1484: it was one of the stages of the Saint-Denis basilica at the Palais de la Cité or at Notre-Dame Cathedral, There was a cemetery of the Saints-Innocents, located in the Halles neighborhood or quartier, at the site of the current Place Joachim-du-Bellay in the center of which is the fountain of the innocents. It takes its name from the church of the Saints-Innocents which was at the square and which has today disappeared. This was dedicated to the Innocent Saints, children of Judea massacred on the order of King Herod. In the 15C, the cemetery and the innocent church formed a rectangle bordered by the rue Saint-Denis, aux Fers, de la Lingerie , and de la Ferronnerie streets. It was accessed by means of several doors, especially by that of rue Saint-Denis opened under the house where the mirror hung in front of rue Trousse-Vache, The cemetery of the Saints-Innocents possessed up to two reclusers times, the first between the church and the fountain and the second on the opposite side.
The City of Paris and the fontaine des Innocents restore : https://mairiepariscentre.paris.fr/pages/la-fontaine-des-innocents-va-etre-restauree-dans-un-nouvel-ecrin-de-verdure-22473
The Paris tourist office on the fontaine des innocents: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/fontaine-des-innocents-p1894
There you go folks, this is a wonderful area for sightseeing and walks in a popular area of my eternal Paris , for all to see, and visit while in Paris. The square and fountain is very nice indeed. Again,hope you enjoy this post on the Fontaine des Innocents of Paris as I
And remember ,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 