Wallace Fountains: Parisian Icon Invented by an Englishman
The Wallace fountains, iconic green cast-iron fixtures providing drinking water across Paris, were invented by an Englishman. There are about a hundred of them scattered throughout the French capital, serving Parisians and tourists. The article traces their history, noting that despite their quintessentially Parisian appearance, the fountains were designed by Sir Richard Wallace, a British philanthropist. The piece is part of a France 24 video series exploring cultural heritage.
Key facts
- Wallace fountains are iconic green cast-iron drinking fountains in Paris.
- There are about a hundred Wallace fountains in Paris.
- They were invented by an Englishman, Sir Richard Wallace.
- The fountains provide water to Parisians and tourists.
- The article is from France 24, published July 30, 2026.
- The content is part of a video series on cultural history.
- The cover image credits Wikipedia and Valentin Cacheux / France Médias Monde.
- The article includes links to other cultural topics like impressionism and the Bayeux Tapestry.
Entities
Artists
- Valentin Cacheux
Institutions
- France 24
- France Médias Monde
- Wikipedia
Locations
- Paris
- France
- London
- Bayeux