Fountain in all Paris, France

## Overview Paris is home to an extensive network of free public drinking water fountains, maintained and operated by **Eau de Paris**, the city's public water utility. Scattered across all 20 arrondissements, these fountains provide fresh, clean municipal water to residents and visitors alike — making it easy to refill a bottle while exploring the City of Light. The tradition of public drinking fountains in Paris dates back centuries. Among the most iconic are the **Wallace Fountains** (*fontaines Wallace*), elegant dark-green cast-iron fountains introduced in 1872 by the English philanthropist Sir Richard Wallace. Originally installed to provide free drinking water to Parisians during the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, roughly 100 of these ornate fountains still operate today and have become beloved symbols of the city. In addition to the classic Wallace Fountains, Paris also features modern **Eau de Paris pétillante (sparkling water) fountains** — currently three locations across the city — where visitors can fill up with chilled, carbonated water completely free of charge. The water supplied through the Eau de Paris network is rigorously tested municipal water and has been reported by visitors to taste excellent. The GPS coordinates listed here (48.8665, 2.3251) place you near the heart of central Paris, close to the 8th arrondissement — a great starting point for fountain-hunting along the Champs-Élysées, the Tuileries Garden, and surrounding neighborhoods. ## Directions 1. To locate the nearest public drinking fountain from wherever you are in Paris, visit the official **Eau de Paris interactive fountain map**: [eaudeparis.fr/carte-des-fontaines](http://www.eaudeparis.fr/carte-des-fontaines/). 2. The map is available in French but is intuitive to use — it displays fountain locations across all arrondissements, including the three sparkling water fountains. 3. You can filter by fountain type and click individual markers for the exact address and details of each fountain. 4. Most fountains are located along major boulevards, in public parks and gardens, and near popular tourist areas, so you're rarely far from one while walking through the city. 5. Look for the distinctive dark-green Wallace Fountains on sidewalks, or the sleek modern Eau de Paris kiosks for sparkling water. ## What to Expect Paris's public drinking fountains are generally operational year-round, though some — particularly the Wallace Fountains — may be shut off during winter months (typically November through March) to prevent freezing and pipe damage. The sparkling water fountains may also have seasonal or maintenance closures. The water flows continuously from most Wallace Fountains (you press a small lever or the water runs freely), while the modern sparkling water stations typically have a push-button mechanism. The fountains dispense treated municipal water from the Paris water supply, which is regularly tested and has been reported to be of high quality. For the best experience, bring a reusable water bottle. The sparkling water fountains are especially popular on warm days, so expect a short wait during peak summer months. The Wallace Fountains are works of art in their own right — each features four caryatid figures supporting a domed top — and are worth photographing even if you're not thirsty. Whether you're strolling along the Seine, resting in the Jardin du Luxembourg, or navigating the Marais, keeping an eye out for these fountains is one of the simplest pleasures of visiting Paris.