We're taking advantage of the Journées du Patrimoine 2025 to discover the sights of the capital, and there are plenty of them! You probably won't have enough time over the weekend of September 20 and 21 to see everything, but so many museums, churches, institutions and unusual, little-known places are waiting to reveal their secrets to you, during guided tours and events, often free of charge. This year's cultural event is full of surprises!
What if, after the Catacombs or the Carrière des Capucins, we stayed underground, visiting the Maison du Fontainier? It's an ideal opportunity to delve into the bowels of Paris, through thehistory of water. Built between 1619 and 1623 in the Faubourg Saint-Jacques, this ashlar house's interest lies in its relationship with the 13km-longMédicis aqueduct, of which it is the 27th and last manhole (a masonry device used to inspect an underground pipe).
The King's fountain-maker, Thomas Francine, lived here to oversee water distribution in the capital. The liquid circulating in the aqueduct arrived in the basements of this house, divided into three basins: the Carmelite basin, intended for the clergy; the King's basin, which supplied the Luxembourg palace and its fountains; and the City basin, intended for public fountains. The latter, however, had the least water!
The house, with its beautiful stone dormers, lost its function in 1870, and only became a Monument Historique in 1994.
Aucun événement annoncé à ce jour, le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
Fountain maker's house
42 Avenue de l'Observatoire
75014 Paris 14
Prices
Free
