In 1808, Napoleon had the head office of the military police of Paris demolished thus opening up the required space for Place Châtelet in the middle of which a fountain designed by Bralle was erected. Also called the “Palm-tree fountain”, it comprises a 70-feet high column topped by a statue representing Victory and the allegories of Faith, Law, Strength and Vigilance. The shaft of the column commemorates the Empire's victories: Lodi, Arcole, Ulm, Iena, Eylau, Danzig, Friedland.
Following Haussmann's reorganization of Paris, the fountain was moved in 1858 in order to enlarge the square and make room for Boulevard Sébastopol. The fountain was then mounted on a new pedestal decorated with sphinxes by Jaquemart.
On either side of the fountain there are twin theatres facing each other: the “Théâtre du Châtelet” and the “Théâtre de la Ville”, both built by Davioud in 1862.
Châtelet Fountain
