fountains in Paris | A French Collection

The Medici Fountain - Jardin du Luxembourg with autumn flowers in urns

Medici Fountain in Jardin du Luxembourg — The Most Romantic Fountain in Paris

La Fontaine Médicis, or Medici Fountain, is a romantic fountain in the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris found in the 6th arrondissement. Built in 1630 for Marie de Médicis, the monumental fountain is of an ornate Italian design that stands out from the geometric French layout and the formality of many areas of the Luxembourg Garden. You'll find it in a quiet, shaded corner of the garden surrounded by benches, urns and sweeping ivy vines that border and separate the fountain from its surrounds. Stunning in any season, it's easily the most romantic fountain in Paris.

The History of Medici Fountain

The Medici Fountain was commissioned by Marie de Médicis around 1630 for her palace on the Left Bank. Marie de Médicis is one of the 20 illustrious women of French history who are honoured with a statue in the Luxembourg Garden. See our post 20 Queen Statues in Luxembourg Garden to read more about these incredible French women.

The fountain takes inspiration from Florence’s Boboli Gardens. It was moved to the present site and expanded in 1864 to 1866. Sculptor Auguste Ottin added the figures from Greek mythology, including bronze cyclops Polyphemus discovering white marble lovers Acis and Galatea. In the myth the jealous giant kills human Acis, so sea-nymph Galatea transforms her dead lover into an immortal river spirit. The long reflecting pool in front is fringed with charming flowers and foliage.

Place du Quebec and L'Embacle Fountain

Place du Quebec is a small square in Paris in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés. Place du Quebec is at the bustling junction of rue de Rennes, rue Bonaparte and Boulevarde Saint Germain which, despite its size, is actually one of the busiest crossroads in Paris.

Place du Quebec is probably my most walked across squares/places in Paris because of where I stay when in Paris. My often stayed at hotel is just a few hundred metres from Place du Quebec, on rue du Four, and when not staying at this hotel, it is the arrondissement I hang out the most in anyway.

Place du Quebec is only a two minute walk from the pretty Place de Furstemberg, a one minute walk from Café Bonaparte where I frequently eat late at night, directly opposite Église Saint Germain des Prés and diagonally opposite the iconic café Les Deux Magots. So, you can see how central it is to many of the famous places to visit in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.