Place Saint Sulpice
The Saint Sulpice Fountain and Church boast a privileged location, steps away from the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church and the Luxembourg Palace.
Place Saint-Sulpice was created in 1754 on the site of a former seminary. Its designer, the architect Servandoni, initially envisioned a semi-circular square bordered by uniform buildings, but this project was never realised.
Nevertheless, Place Saint-Sulpice remains one of the most charming squares in Paris.
The chestnut trees that surround it indeed contribute to its charm, changing their colours with the seasons and offering welcome shade to those who pause on the many benches placed there.
However, its centrepiece is undoubtedly the magnificent Saint Sulpice Fountain.
Saint Sulpice Fountain, a French Renaissance masterpiece
Visconti began designing the monumental Saint Sulpice Fountain in 1848.
This 12-metre high fountain is considered a masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture. It comprises a sculptural ensemble sheltered by a canopy surmounted by a pinnacle, the entire structure resting on a base formed by three octagonal basins arranged in a pyramid. A sophisticated overflow system creates cascades in the two upper basins. Four finely crafted basins stand at the corners of these basins. Each is guarded by a lion bearing the coat of arms of Paris between its front paws.
The statues of Fénelon, Bossuet, Fléchier, and Massillon are nestled in four niches, framed by pilasters. These four bishops and preachers are depicted seated beneath their respective coats of arms.
Each side of the Saint-Sulpice Fountain is meticulously oriented towards a cardinal direction (Points Cardinaux in French). This particular orientation has given rise to a playful pun in French. It has thus been nicknamed the “Fountain of the Points Cardinaux” (Fountain of the Cardinal Points, which can also be read as Fountain of the non-cardinals), because none of the four preachers depicted ever attained the rank of cardinal!
The Saint-Sulpice fountain was listed as a historical monument in 1926.
Directions: 6th district
Metro: Saint-Sulpice on Line 4
Coordinates: Lat 48.850964 – Long 2.333263
