Medici Fountain

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The fountain was originally known as the Grotte du Luxembourg and was modeled after Italian grottoes of the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

2. 2

   The central basin was added in 1862, two centuries after the fountain's initial construction.

3. 3

   The fountain's original design included a large statue of the Virgin Mary, which was later removed during the 19th-century remodeling.

4. 4

   The water used for the fountain was historically diverted from the Rungis aqueduct.

5. 5

   The sculptor Auguste Ottin created the central group featuring Polyphemus and the lovers specifically for the 1862 restoration.

6. 6

   The fountain is officially designated as a monument historique, a status granted by the French Ministry of Culture.

Overview

The Medici Fountain is a 17th-century Baroque water feature located in the Luxembourg Garden on the Left Bank of Paris. Commissioned by Marie de' Medici, the fountain was designed by Italian engineer Thomas Francine in 1630. It features a long, tree-lined reflecting pool flanked by plane trees and stone benches. The central sculpture depicts the mythological lovers Acis and Galatea, surprised by the giant Polyphemus. The current architectural configuration dates to an 1862 renovation by Alphonse de Gisors, who added the statues of a faun and a huntress. Originally situated elsewhere in the gardens, the fountain was moved to its current location to accommodate the construction of Rue de Médicis. It is considered one of the finest examples of Italian-influenced garden architecture in the city. The structure is built primarily from volcanic stone and limestone.

Insider tips

• Bring a book, as the shaded stone benches along the reflecting pool are specifically designed for quiet reading.

• Visit during the early morning hours to avoid the crowds that gather around the fountain during the mid-afternoon.

• Walk around to the back of the fountain to view the lesser-seen Leda Fountain relief, which was integrated into the rear wall.