Stravinsky Fountain visitor guide

Visit Stravinsky Fountain, Paris

The Stravinsky fountain - in French called the Fontaine Stravinsky - is a fountain in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, between the Marais quarter (to the east) and the Les Halles quarter (to the west). The fountain is situated at the southern end of the Pompidou Centre.

I understand the area here used to be called the Beaubourg quarter before the Pompidou Centre was built, although I think this name is no longer in common usage.

Discover the Fontaine Stravinsky

France This Way review: you will likely walk pass this fountain as you explore the centre of Paris, and wonder how it came to be here - it is an interesting modern fountain, loved by children and adults alike, and merits a pause as you pass

Sculpture in the Stravinsky Fountain

The fountain is rectangular, and holds several large, colourful and animated characters, painted in bright colours and continuously moving around, with jets of water further livening the scene.

Each time we have seen the fountain it has been surrounded by lots of people, all looking happy and mesmerised at the same time, so you can be sure of a good atmosphere, even if the square does become quite busy.

The fountain opened in 1983, and was a collabarative effort by the artist - sculptor Jean Tinguely and the painter Niki de Saint Phalle. It was a part of the larger project to complete the Pompidou Centre at that time as a major centre for the arts.

The fountain is inspired by the artistic works of Igor Stravinsky, a modernist Russian composer (1882-1971) who was a major influence on modern music.

You could listen to The Rite of Spring if you are interested in the musical works of Stravinsky: this is typical of his music, and faced a great deal of opposition and ridicule when it was released.

Each of the 16 sculptures in the fountain is inspired either by one of the works of Stravinsky, or by his general principles. There is little point in me listing each of the sculptures in the fountain but you will enjoy looking at them one by one as you visit.

Following several years of neglect, the Stravinsky fountain has been completely renovated to its original colours and design and is once again entertaining visitors.

The artistic intent of the fountain is enhanced by the large walls covered in murals and "artistic graffiti" along the west edge of the fountain, which complement the modernist style.

Along Rue Brisemiche, the road along the eastern edge of the fountain, there are several cafes where you can look at the fountain while you enjoy your coffee break.

Walls covered with murals next to the Stravinsky Fountain

Attractions nearby

Another offbeat artistic destination in Paris, run by a community of artists, can be seen at 59 Rue de Rivoli, just south of the Stravinsky fountain.

To the south of here you can see the imposing Town Hall of Paris and visit the Saint-Jacques Tower, to the east you can walk all the way through the Marais quarter until you reach the Place des Vosges, and to the west, just beyond Les Halles, you can see the Church Saint-Eustache.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.

To make travel arrangements to visit Stravinsky Fountain see HERE