Pavillon de l'eau, Water museum in 16th arrondissement, France.
Pavillon de l'eau is a former water pumping station in the 16th arrondissement that now operates as a museum housed in a brick building with large skylights on Avenue de Versailles. Inside, exhibits explain how Paris managed water delivery from early times through modern systems.
Built in 1828 as a pumping facility for the Seine, this station was essential to Paris water distribution during the industrial age. Electrical improvements came after World War I, and the building found new purpose as a museum starting in 2007.
The building tells the story of how Parisians relied on clever water systems and what it took to bring clean water to every neighborhood. This place shows the constant effort behind something people often take for granted.
The museum offers guided tours, educational workshops, and discussions about water systems for schools and individual visitors. Plan your visit to join a guided tour if possible, as this helps you understand the building's layout and the technical details of its former function.
The building contains two separate sections called Station A and Station B, each showing different technological methods used for water distribution. This arrangement lets visitors see side by side how the techniques evolved and how the facility adapted over decades.
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