Regard de la lanterne

The Regard de la lanterne is a stone monument that stands as a silent sentinel over a hidden world beneath your feet. While it appears to be a simple garden structure, this rotunda with its dome and lantern top was constructed between 1583 and 1613 to act as a critical access point for the Belleville aqueduct. For centuries, this elaborate hydraulic network funneled spring water from the heights of Belleville down into the heart of Paris, supplying fountains and monasteries long before modern plumbing existed. The term regard refers to these inspection chambers, which allowed workers to descend into the darkness to monitor water flow, inspect the pipes for damage, and prevent illegal tapping of the city's precious water supply.