Regard des Maussins, regard dans le 19e arrondissement de Paris
The Regard des Maussins is a small rectangular stone structure in the 19th arrondissement with a tiled roof that served as an inspection point for underground water pipes. It was part of the medieval water system that carried water from sources on the northeastern hills to abbeys and fountains throughout the city.
The Regard des Maussins dates to the Middle Ages and supplied water from northeastern sources to Parisian abbeys. It underwent renovation in the 18th century and gained protected monument status in 1899; in 1963 it was relocated about 350 meters from its original site to make room for the construction of the Lilas reservoir project.
The Regard des Maussins shows how medieval Parisians organized and monitored their city's water systems. The small stone building reminds visitors today of the practical solutions people once created to control water and serve their communities.
The Regard des Maussins is located near the Porte des Lilas metro station in a quiet garden setting close to the station. Visitors can see the structure from the street, but the building is closed to the public most of the year and opens only on special Heritage Days.
The building was relocated about 350 meters from its original site in Pré-Saint-Gervais in 1963 to make room for modern transportation and the reservoir construction project. This relocation made it one of the few medieval water transport structures that was physically moved to adapt to the modern city.
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