MFL

Wallace Fountains: Keeping France hydrated since 1872 ⛲

Lots of Stanley-cup-wielding American tourists have taken to TikTok in the past few months to express their concern at how little water Europeans drink. But if these TikToks have put you off visiting Paris, fear not: Sir Richard Wallace and his fountains will make sure you’re well hydrated during your trip…

Wallace Fountains are public drinking fountains named after the wealthy English philanthropist who financed and designed them. The first 50 fountains were installed in Paris in 1872: 40 free-standing fountains and 10 wall-mounted fountains were scattered throughout the city in the form of large, dark green, iron structures. Just before the Fountains were constructed. Paris had suffered immensely. Between the siege of the Franco-Prussian war and the Commune era, access to safe drinking water had become more and more limited. Wallace’s Fountains were therefore a very welcome, and surprisingly beautiful, way of solving this problem.

There were strict rules for the conception of the fountains. These were on:

1. The size. The fountains had to be big enough to be visible from a distance, but not too big as to disrupt the Parisian landscape.

2. The form. The fountains needed to be aesthetically pleasing and practical.

3. The price. The fountains had to be affordable enough that dozens could be installed across the city.

4. Materials. The fountains would be completely exposed to the elements, so the material needed to be both resistant and easy to shape.

Clearly, Wallace found the magic formula to balance all these factors: his cast iron fountains can still be found throughout Paris today, and they’ve received hardly any criticism!

💡 Things to consider

• Altruism vs. selfishness: At the time of the fountains’ creation, philanthropy was fashionable. Bourgeois individuals often financed ‘good causes’ to enhance their reputation. Sir Richard Wallace inherited a large sum of money from his father in August 1870, and he wanted to share this with the whole city – thus, the fountains were born. The city of Paris benefited immeasurably from this, but so did Wallace’s reputation and legacy. So, was this altruistic act also selfish? Does it matter?

  

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• Drunkenness: 1870s Paris was suffering from the destruction of its aqueducts following the siege of Paris and the Paris commune, as we have already seen. Street vendors sold dirty water, and wine sellers grew more and more popular because wine was cheaper (and cleaner) than water. Naturally, alcoholism skyrocketed as a result, particularly amongst the lower classes. The Wallace Fountains provided a solution to this problem – but do you think the solution was intentional?

• The making of an icon: The Wallace fountains have now become an icon of Parisian culture: there are around a hundred of them dotted throughout the city, and replicas have been made all over the world. The fountains are also found in films such as Amélie and Fantastic Beasts, as an easy way of referencing Paris. Could Wallace have predicted the universal appeal and iconic nature of his fountains?

  

  Us about the Wallace fountains

🔎 Find out more

• La fontaine Wallace - Karambolage - ARTE (YouTube Video in French)

• Wallace Fountains of Paris - Home - Wallace Fountains

🍒 The cherry on top

• 💳 The Bitcoin Paradox: Bitcoin promised decentralisation and freedom from government control, but its environmental impact and concentration of wealth create new problems. This article explores the tension between Bitcoin's initial ideals and its current realities, examining the paradoxes at the heart of cryptocurrency. A thought-provoking read for students interested in Economics, Technology, or Politics.

• 🌍 Biogeography: This article explores the contributions of Alfred Russel Wallace and Alfred Wegener to our understanding of biogeography. It examines Wallace's Line, a significant biogeographical boundary, and how Wegener's theory of continental drift helps explain the distribution of species across the globe. A fascinating read for students interested in Biology or Geography.

• 🌈 The Science of Rainbows: Ever wondered why rainbows are curved or why you can't see one when looking directly at the sun? This video explains the science behind these colourful arcs (that may or may not have a pot of gold at the end of them), exploring how light refracts and reflects to create this beautiful natural phenomenon. A perfect watch for anyone interested in Physics! [No pots of golds guaranteed]

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• 10th February

  • University of Exeter Medicine Webinar

  • UEA Paramedic Science Taster Webinar

• 11th February

  • Balliol College Oxford History Webinar

  • Cambridge Law Personal Statement Session

  • UEA Business Taster Webinar

  • UEA Maths Taster Webinar

• 12th February

  • Queens’ College Cambridge Music Taster Session

  • University of Law Webinar - Prisons

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