The Journées du Patrimoine 2024 are the perfect opportunity to discover the capital's sights, and there are plenty of them! You probably won't have enough time over the weekend of September 21 and 22 to see everything, but so many museums, churches, institutions and unusual, little-known places are waiting to reveal their secrets to you, during guided tours and events, often free of charge. This year's cultural event is full of surprises!
What if, after the Catacombs or the Carrière des Capucins, we stayed underground, visiting the Maison du Fontainier? It's an ideal opportunity to delve into the bowels of Paris, through thehistory of water. Built between 1619 and 1623 in the Faubourg Saint-Jacques, this ashlar house's interest lies in its relationship with the 13km-longMédicis aqueduct, of which it is the 27th and last manhole (a masonry device used to inspect an underground pipe).
The King's fountain-maker, Thomas Francine, lived here to oversee water distribution in the capital. The liquid circulating in the aqueduct arrived in the basements of this house, divided into three basins: the Carmelite basin, intended for the clergy; the King's basin, which supplied the Luxembourg palace and its fountains; and the City basin, intended for public fountains. The latter, however, had the least water!
Also known as"regard de la Lanterne", this house with its beautiful stone dormers lost its function in 1870, and only became a Monument Historique in 1994.
Guided tour of the exterior and basement of this last look at the Medici aqueduct (17th century).
Dates and Opening Time
From September 21, 2024 to September 22, 2024
Location
Fountain maker's house
42 Avenue de l'Observatoire
75014 Paris 14
Prices
Free
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
