Belleville Reservoir, Water tank in Télégraphe Street, 20th arrondissement of Paris, France
Belleville Reservoir is an underground water storage facility beneath Telegraph Street consisting of two levels with a total capacity of 18,000 cubic meters. Two water towers were added in 1919 to supply the growing number of tall buildings in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Engineer Eugène Belgrand constructed this facility between 1862 and 1865 as part of Baron Haussmann's urban renewal program under the Second Empire. The infrastructure proved essential for developing eastern districts, ensuring reliable water supply to the newly planned neighborhoods.
The name Belleville comes from its location at one of the city's highest points, a choice that shaped how water could flow across eastern neighborhoods. This infrastructure project reflects how practical engineering became part of the area's identity.
The underground facility is not open to visitors, but the two water towers remain visible above ground in the Belleville area. Walking around Rue Télégraphe and nearby public spaces offers the best view of these structures from the outside.
The rooftop of the reservoir hosts Plein Air, an urban flower farm covering about 1,200 square meters, created in 2017 through the Parisculteurs initiative. This unexpected green space demonstrates how infrastructure projects can be combined with contemporary community gardens today.
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