Regard de la Lanterne, Historical monument and manhole in 19th arrondissement, France.
Regard de la Lanterne is a cylindrical stone structure topped with a dome and a stone lantern, set within a dedicated garden space. Inside, a double stone staircase descends to an ancient water basin that formed part of the underground water system.
Built in 1613, this structure served as an inspection point for the Belleville aqueduct that distributed water to fountains throughout the city. It incorporated sections of older galleries from the 13th and 14th centuries that belonged to earlier water systems.
This structure shows how 17th-century engineers thought about supplying water to the city and made it part of the urban landscape. The baroque design with its stone lantern was part of a much larger system that shaped how Paris developed.
Access to the interior is usually limited, but during Heritage Days in September visitors can descend the staircase into the structure. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the steps are narrow and steep.
The interior still preserves sections of an even older gallery from the 13th and 14th centuries that visitors can see while descending. These layers reveal how Paris reused and expanded the same water infrastructure across several centuries.
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