It will be almost impossibel to recite all the streets of Paris even those known to me but there are some that brings back wonderful memories and merit to be in my blog, thanks to pictures found in my cd rom vault. This I passed by car and walked it , A glorious spot in my eternal Paris ,where my family spent many times and in some I still do. Let me tell you apart from the street (see post) this wonderful monument, Therefore, I like to tell you about the Fontaine des Quatre Saisons of Paris !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons (fountain of the four seasons) is a monumental fountain, with basins located in the 7éme arrondissement of Paris, at nos 57 and 59 of Rue de Grenelle. Access close by on arrêt/stop Charlotte Perriand bus lines 63, 68,83,84, and 94 and metro station Rue du Bac line 12, The fountain was fed by the waters of Rungis, then in 1787 by the Fire Pump of the Gros-Caillou, but the flow was too weak and at the end of the 19C, it was deserted. Restored by the City of Paris, it was restored to water in 1978 , The Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons, is name due to the four bas-reliefs and the four statues representing the seasons that decorate it, is a unique fountain in Paris by its magnitude, its decor and its architecture.
In 1739, the City of Paris acquired a small plot of land bordering the Rue de Grenelle, formerly part of the Recollects convent, with the intention of building a fountain in the heart of a neighborhood almost entirely without water. The Provost of the Merchants, Michel-Étienne Turgot, entrusted the construction of this fountain to the sculptor Edme Bouchardon. The work was completed in 1745.
Arranged in a semicircle to accommodate the narrowness of the street and the plot, the structure consists of a central projecting section, supported by a rusticated base and flanked by two wings that amplify the composition. Allegorical figures in the round occupy the foreground, against an architectural backdrop: four paired columns, with fluted shafts and Ionic capitals, support an entablature crowned by a pediment, which once displayed the arms of France. In the back wall, a large black marble table bears a long dedication to the glory of Louis XV, a peaceful prince. Below, beneath the cornice of the base, a cartouche, now devoid of inscription, flanked by consoles and adorned with a garland of fruit, paid homage to the actions of the Provost of the Merchants and the Aldermen of the City of Paris.
At the foot of this monumental composition, four bronze mascarons with the heads of sea monsters still spout streams of water. Forming a partial circle, the wings flanking the central projecting section also feature elaborate sculpted decoration. They are pierced with sculpted niches which house, on either side of the coat of arms of the City of Paris, four figures representing the spirits of the Seasons, each associated with a bas-relief depicting cupids, one for each season. Lines of rustication emphasize the high base of the Fountain of the Four Seasons, at the top of which runs a frieze of posts, interrupted only by the dedicatory cartouche. Raised above the base, three allegorical figures, seated or reclining, stand before the architectural backdrop of the central section.The City of Paris, nobly draped, sits on a raised circular throne, accompanied by the Seine , represented by a bearded man, and a stream ,the Marne represented by a young woman , both reclining amidst reeds and leaning on an overflowing urn. These two allegorical figures are placed on a base adorned with frosted decorations, and depicted in a naturalistic setting ; two ducks, one lying on the bank, the other taking flight, appear amidst a clump of reeds. Other works include a bas-relief of Spring, a bas-relief of Summer, and Winter, all created between 1739 and 1745 by Edme Bouchardon.
The Paris tourist office on the area of the Invalides to Palais Bourbon (scroll down to the fountain): https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/from-the-invalides-to-palais-bourbon-a1095
The Paris tourist office on the 7éme arrondissement de Paris: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/explore-paris-s-7th-arrondissement-a825
There you go folks, a dandy city to explore and enjoy with the family, Memorable moments in my eternal Paris, driving and walking all over in my road warrior trails brings out sublime awesome spots with nice memorable family visits of yesteryear always remember and always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again hope you enjoy the post on the Fontaine des Quatre Saisons of Paris !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 