As you may (or may not) know, I live in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Shortly after moving to the neighborhood, I discovered a nice little gem that I wanted to share with you today: the Butte aux Cailles fountain. Its water comes from an underground aquifer tapped in 1863 by an artesian well system over 600 meters deep.
At the time, it was a necessity to supply the arrondissement and increase the flow of the Bièvre river. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century, under Arago’s direction, that the project was completed, as the Bièvre had been partially covered up. The water drawn was warm, abundant, and of excellent quality, given the depth of the drilling.
In 1924, this fountain found another use: supplying the nearby Butte aux Cailles swimming pool, built by architect Louis Bonnier, which is one of the oldest in France. The fountain currently located on Place Verlaine dates only to 1999 and continues to provide Parisians with its spring water.
This pure, iron-rich water is 25,000 years old and originates from the Albian fossil aquifer. It is naturally good to drink, and many people come from far away to get it. Indeed, every time I pass by the fountain, there are always Parisians filling up containers to take this quality and free water home with them.
This fountain is one of the three fountains in Paris supplied with spring water: the other two are located in the 16th arrondissement at Square Lamartine and in the 18th arrondissement at Square de la Madone.
Butte aux Cailles Fountain Place Paul-Verlaine - 75013 Paris 13th arrondissement M°6 Place d'Italie or Corvisart / M° 7 Tolbiac
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
