Regard du Trou-Morin, Historic water access structure in Le Pré-Saint-Gervais, France

The regard du Trou-Morin is a small rectangular stone shelter near avenue Édouard-Vaillant, below the sente des Cornettes. It stands just over four meters tall, with a sturdy roof of four sloped sides and an opening that once allowed workers to reach the water channeled beneath it.

The water collection that led to this structure began on the hillside of Romainville in the 12th century, used by monks who sent it toward their priory and later to the Saint-Laurent fairground. The stone shelter itself dates from the 17th century, and it received official protection as a historical monument in 1899.

The word 'regard' points to the small opening through which water could be watched or reached, a detail still visible in the stone face. Local residents treat the spot as a quiet corner of daily life, often passing it on foot without stopping, while a small sign explains its former role to those who pause.

You can reach it on foot from the nearby streets, and the surrounding area is easy to walk around without steps or barriers. The best light for seeing the stone texture falls on the south side earlier in the day, so a morning walk works well.

Several sources note a spelling drift between 'Trou-Morin' and 'Trou Marin', hinting at old oral usage rather than a fixed name. Inside, ceramic pipes were later swapped for lead ones, a small material change that shows how upkeep of this rural water system continued for centuries.