Fontaine Cuvier, Neoclassical fountain in 5th arrondissement, France.
Fontaine Cuvier is a neoclassical fountain in the 5th arrondissement featuring a central figure holding inscribed tablets surrounded by water creatures and a crocodile at its base. The composition brings together sculptural elements that represent nature and scientific knowledge.
The fountain was built between 1840 and 1846 by architect Alphonse Vigoureux and sculptor Jean-Jacques Feuchère, replacing an earlier Saint-Victor fountain that stood at this location. Its construction took place during a period of significant scientific advancement in France.
The fountain is named after the renowned naturalist Georges Cuvier and reflects his influence on how people understood animal anatomy and fossils. Its location near the Jardin des Plantes connects it to the scientific institutions that grew from his legacy.
The fountain is located at the intersection of Rue Linné and Rue Cuvier, directly across from an entrance to the Jardin des Plantes, making it easy to spot. The area is well-connected and sits among other nearby attractions you can visit on the same walk.
The tablets held by the central figure display Cuvier's motto 'Rerum cognoscere causas,' a Latin phrase meaning 'to know the causes of things.' This inscription reveals the heart of his scientific philosophy and is visible as you stand before the fountain.
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