Fontaine de l'Observatoire

The Fountain of the Four Parts of the World is a large bronze sculpture featuring four female figures representing the continents Europe, Asia, Africa, and America supporting a celestial globe. The figures rest upon a base that incorporates dynamic sculptural elements below.

The fountain was designed between 1867 and 1874 during a major transformation of Paris under Baron Haussmann. It was part of efforts to enhance the city with significant public artworks.

The sculptures were created by two prominent French artists and reflect the skilled craftsmanship of the period. Visitors can appreciate the bronze details and expressions of the figures from different angles around the fountain.

The fountain is located in a park between Luxembourg Gardens and Paris Observatory, where you can visit it easily on foot. The surrounding grounds provide plenty of space to view it from different perspectives.

Eight bronze horses emerge from the fountain's base in a circular arrangement, created by one of the sculptors and adding a sense of movement to the entire composition. These horse sculptures are easily overlooked when visitors focus only on the four continental figures above.

Location: 6th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: January 1, 1875

Architects: Gabriel Davioud

Creator: Gabriel Davioud, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Emmanuel Frémiet, Pierre Legrain, Louis Villeminot, Thiébaut Frères

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 48.84109,2.33681

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45