Imagine this: you’re strolling through the charming Trocadero Garden in Paris, the Eiffel Tower majestically rising in the distance. Suddenly, you’re captivated by a magnificent spectacle – the Trocadero Fountain, a shimmering oasis of water and artistry. This iconic landmark has graced the Parisian landscape for over a century, evolving through time while always captivating visitors.
A Fountain’s History
The Trocadero Fountain, nestled in the Trocadero Garden below the Palais de Chaillot, has a rich history. This location was once home to the original Palais du Trocadero, built for the 1878 World Fair. A cascading waterfall, designed by Gabriel Davioud, adorned this earlier palace, adding a touch of elegance to the fairgrounds.
The fountain was surrounded by four bronze sculptures, each a masterpiece in its own right. These sculptures, depicting a horse with a harrow, a young elephant caught in a trap, a rhinoceros, and an ox, once graced the original Trocadero palace. Today, three of these sculptures stand proudly in front of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, while the fourth resides in the town of Nîmes.
Sadly, the original Palais du Trocadero and its fountain were demolished in 1935 to make way for the modern Palais de Chaillot. The legacy of this earlier fountain lives on through the bronze mascarons by Auguste Rodin, which were originally integrated into the Trocadero. Seven of these mascarons were later recovered and placed in the Parc de Sceaux, while others found a home on the terrace of the Auteuil greenhouse garden. The Musée des arts décoratifs in Paris holds plaster models of two of these captivating sculptures.
A Fountain Reborn
The Trocadero Fountain we know today was built for the 1937 World Fair, a defining moment in the fountain’s history. This construction marked a complete transformation of the area, replacing the old Trocadero Palace with the current Palais de Chaillot and reimagining the Trocadero Garden.
Talented architects Roger-Henri Expert, Paul Maître, and Adolphe Thiers, along with sculptors Daniel-Joseph Bacqué and Léon-Ernest Drivier, collaborated to create this magnificent fountain. The Trocadero Fountain of 1937 was a marvel of its time, boasting a vast network of water cannons, sprays, and columns, all powered by a pump with the strength of a thousand horses.
The fountain was a spectacle to behold, especially at night, when 530 electric spotlights illuminated its beauty. During winter, the frozen surface transformed into an ice-skating rink, offering a unique Parisian experience.
A Timeless Icon
The Trocadero Fountain continues to enthrall visitors with its timeless elegance. The fountain’s core structure has remained essentially unchanged, with its rectangular basin and a series of smaller interconnected basins. Twenty powerful water cannons still shoot water towards the Eiffel Tower, creating a breathtaking display.
The fountain is beautifully framed by sculptures on the Seine side, adding to its artistic appeal. La Joie de vivre by Léon-Ernest Drivier and La Jeunesse by Pierre-Marie Poisson grace the lower part of the fountain, while other sculptures by Georges Guyot, Paul Jouve, Pierre Traverse, and Daniel Bacqué enhance the fountain’s beauty.
Today, the Trocadero Fountain continues to be a highlight of the Trocadero Garden, offering a captivating glimpse into Paris’s rich history and artistry. Whether you’re captivated by the fountain’s water show or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll, the Trocadero Fountain promises an unforgettable Parisian experience.
