Fontaine des Innocents, Paris
Fontaine des Innocents
Address: Square des Innocents
Arrondissement: 1st
About the Fountain des Innocents
The Fontaine des Innocents is named for the cemetery that was originally located in this region of Paris. For six centuries the Cimetiere des Saint Innocents lay in the location. It was thought to be a child cemetery (hence the name) although no one can be certain.
In the mid 1500’s, architect Jean Goujon designed the Fountain to commemorate the deceased and the cemetery that once stood in the square. It was actually built into the wall along the intersection of Rue St. Denis and Rue au Fers (modern day Rue Berger). Goujon soon found himself at the helm of the French Mannerist and Renaissance sculpture boom. Shortly after the fountain’s creation he was named the official sculpture of King Henry II and also took on the sculptural aspects of the Louvre’s 16th century extension.
The Fountain itself was one of the last erected in the great Renaissance era that swept Paris. Goujon made sure to sculpt his superior’s Coat of Arms and first letter of his name, an “H”, into the fountain. He also paid tribute to frequent patron Catherine de Medici by inscribing her initials and Coat of Arms too. The typical Mannerist style in which the fountain was made features tall, thin nymphs and “putti” or naked, plump little angel boys; both common quotations in Goujon’s work and many other works’ of the era.
Square des Innocents, nearby Les Halles, was made in memory of the cemeteries heydays and the fountain was relocated here two years of the Square was officially opened. After the move, the side of the fountain previously attached to the intersection wall was sculpted to match the rest by Augustin Pajou. It remains this way today.
Getting to Fontaine des Innocents
You can get to Fontaine des Innocents easily by way of Metro Line 4’s Les Halles station. It is just south of the Les Halles attraction.
Fontaine des Innocents Hotels
Here is a short guide to hotels near Fontaine des Innocents.
Located at 66 rue de Malte, this tourist class hotel is the right price for a low budget, basic stay. Just 1 mile from Fountain, two star Hibiscus Republique is near the Republique station. Rates start at a low 44EUR per night.
Located at 29-31 rude des Ecoles, the Sully Saint Germain is positioned on the left bank in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The hotel oozes warmth with tapestry hanging from its walls and beautiful stone walls throughout. There is also a fitness quarter as well as a marble and wood bar lounge. The Sully is sure to make your stay feel like home. Located just under a mile from the Fountain, the 3 star Sully Saint Germain is near the Cardinal Lemoine tube station. Rates start at 101EUR per night.
The Golden Tulip Washington Opera was built in 1620 and renovated in 2005. The hotel was a former town home of Madame de Pompadour and boasts a Louis XV facade. The interior is done in classic Parisian style. The hotel backs up to the Palais Royale and is situated in the heart of the city. With an address of 50 rue de Richelieu, the Golden Tulip Washington Opera Hotel. The four star Golden Tulip Washington Opera hotel, is located near the Pyramides tube station is merely a mile from the Fountain.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
