Fontaine Saint-Michel

"Fontaine Saint-Michel" is a monumental fountain located in Paris, France. The fountain was designed in the late 19th century and is situated in the square of the same name. The Fontaine Saint-Michel is a monumental fountain located in Place Saint-Michel in the 6th arrondissement in Paris. It was constructed in 1858–1860 during the French Second Empire by the architect Gabriel Davioud. Davioud was himself a trained neo classical sculptor from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and the large scale (26 meters by 15 meters) and the elaborate iconography he created for the fountain required the work of nine different sculptors. The fountain was different from most other Paris fountains because it used different colors of stone; columns of red marble from Languedoc ; greenmarble ; bluest one from Soignies ; yellow stone from Saint-Yllie ; and bronze statues. The central statue depicts Saint Michael, the archangel, triumphing over the devil. The statue is surrounded by a number of allegorical figures representing various elements of the natural world. At the time of its creation, the "Fontaine Saint-Michel" was widely praised for its ornate design and its intricate detail. Today, the fountain remains one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris and is a popular tourist destination. The "Fontaine Saint-Michel" is a beautiful representation of the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Paris and continues to captivate visitors with its grandeur and beauty.