Fountaines de la Concorde, Paris

These widely-known twin fountains located in the Place de la Concorde represent French water transport and commerce both domestically and internationally.

Key Details:

The north fountain is representative of the use of French rivers for trade and commerce and the south fountain is representative of international trade on the ocean.

The fountains originally were operated through a gravity system in which water was diverted to the fountain from the canal system at the Parc de la Villette.  Water was piped to the fountain and because the canal was at a higher elevation, the gravity pressure produced the spraying fountain.  This was eventually replaced by an electric pump which recirculated the water.

If You Go:

The fountains are located in the Place de la Concorde which is currently a plaza surrounded by a busy traffic circle.  The Tuileries Garden is just to the east and the Champs-Élysées extends to the northwest.  Experiencing the detail and water of the fountains from a close distance is well worth the effort.

Sources:

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/placedelaconcorde.htm

http://www.triposo.com/poi/Fontaines_de_la_Concorde

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