This Renaissance fountain, designed by sculptor Jean Goujon and architect Pierre Lescot, stands as a masterpiece of sixteenth century French decorative arts. The two tiered stone structure features an upper basin crowned with an ornamental urn from which water cascades downward, while the lower basin catches the overflow in concentric circles. Adorned with elegant bas relief carvings celebrating water nymphs and allegorical figures, the fountain exemplifies the classical restraint and refined ornamentation characteristic of the French Renaissance. Originally commissioned for the Cemetery of the Holy Innocents, the work was relocated to its current placement in the heart of the Les Halles district, where it continues to serve as a vital gathering space and cultural landmark. The surrounding formal gardens with their manicured hedges and open plaza amplify the fountain's role as both functional water feature and celebrated public sculpture. Photo by Jean-Francois RAFFIN on Unsplash