Fontaine aux lions

The Fontaine aux Lions de Nubie, or Fountain of the Nubian Lions, holds a unique place in the industrial history of this area. Originally erected in 1811 at the Place de la République, it was moved here in 1867 to stand before what was then the massive livestock market and slaughterhouse complex of La Villette. In this new location, the monument shifted from an urban decorative centerpiece to a practical utility, as its basins served as the primary watering trough for the vast numbers of cattle driven through the district for trade. The fountain is constructed from stone quarried at Château Landon, a material chosen for its malleability which allowed for the fine detailing seen in its concentric basins. The fountain takes its name from the four pairs of cast-iron lions that guard the structure. These lions were produced at the famous Le Creusot factory, and if you look closely at the bases of these figures, you can still find the original manufacturing marks and dates etched into the metal.