Fontaine Maubuée, Protected fountain in Le Marais, Paris, France.
The Fontaine Maubuée is a protected fountain located at the corner of Rue Saint-Martin and Rue de Venise, featuring stone carved relief work with a central vessel and aquatic plant motifs. Its rocaille design includes details of reeds and marine vegetation surrounding the decorative vase.
The fountain was first built in 1392 to distribute water from the Belleville springs. The current structure was rebuilt in 1733 by architects Jean and Jean-Baptiste Beausire, who introduced the rocaille design.
The name itself comes from 'maubec,' meaning poor water, referencing the original supply from distant springs. This linguistic trace tells visitors about how locals once described their water sources and the challenges of urban life centuries ago.
The fountain sits at a street corner in the Marais neighborhood near Centre Pompidou, making it easy to visit while exploring the area. Since it stands in public space, it is accessible anytime, though daytime viewing offers the best view of its carved details.
The carved reeds and water lily details are not merely ornamental but serve as a visual reminder of medieval water management practices. Many passersby overlook this small fountain due to its placement on a busy street corner, despite its historical significance.
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