18.12.14

Place de la Concorde decorations


A day with very mixed weather and heavy winds - all the chairs of the Tuileries Gardens (see previous posts) were empty - I crossed the Place de la Concorde (see previous posts) …

… and thought I should have a closer look on the two fountains, looking very similar to each other but supposed to be different. One, the northern one, is dedicated to “River Commerce and Navigation” and the southern one to “Maritime Commerce and Industry” – whatever difference this really means. They have been here since 1840. A reason for the naval aspect of the fountains was obviously the Ministry of Navy  building (Hôtel de la Marine) overlooking the Place since the middle of the 18th century (see previous post). The design is by Jacques Ignace Hittorff (1797-1867). I talked about him in a previous post, referring to the number of projects where he was involved (Gare du Nord, the buildings around Place de l’Etoile, the Cirque d’Hiver…).

Twelve different sculptors worked on the statuary of the fountains.

So where are the differences?

I noted that the front, lower row, statues are exactly the same in both fountains (the northern one on top, the southern one below)...

… but when it comes to the second and third rows, there are actually some differences.


Anyhow, whatever the theme and the slight differences may be – or not – the fountains are beautiful, even more so at night and when the water jets are in operation – see an old picture on top.

Also initiated by Hittorff are the the eight statues (four different sculptors) you can find in each angle of the Place, each representing a French city. Someone had put red noses on two of them.



To finish with the decoration of the Place – of course not neglecting the obelisk in the middle of the Place (see previous post) – the Marly Horses (Chevaux de Marly) should also be mentioned. There are four of them, originally created for the suburb Marly Castle in 1745, transferred here in 1794, but because of deterioration replaced by copies in concrete in 1984. The original marble ones are preserved at the Louvre Museum. 

  

9 comments:

Karen said...

One of the places I never tire of. I love the fountains at night, too. Thanks for the tour.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hi Peter , thank you for the interesting info and photography. The fountains look amazing. About Time I got myself back over to Paris.

Mystica said...

Thank you so much for both the photographs and the information.

hpy said...

Superbe, photo 1!

Anonymous said...


I guess my first comment didn't make it...

Thank you so much, Peter for this dream of a post.

Your photos are superb!

Maria

Shammickite said...

Lovely fountains, and made so much more festive with the addition of the red noses!

Lorraine Joan said...

Have a book group friend going to Paris this week. Was not looking forward to the weather. My reply was Paris is beautiful in ANY weather!

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Peter. This must be the most definitive post I have ever read about this very famous French landmark! Without you, we would have probably not noticed all the details on the beautiful fountains (you did so while risking your life, I realize, with the crazy trafic around the square.) I don't comment often, but I always visit your blog. It looks like you enjoyed a busy year, with many good moments with friends (Virginia!) and family. Mine has been a bit of a roller coaster, once again, but look here: I am still standing! Joyeux Noël, Peter. We have got to meet in person, one of these days, when I am in Paris! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Jeanie said...

You have such a keen eye for the remarkable details that make your posts all the richer and more beautiful!

Have a wonderful holiday!