Exploring Paris Through Its Fountains
On this episode of La Vie Creative, I sit down with Barbara J. Lambesis, co-founder of the Wallace Fountain Foundation. You may have seen these iconic green cast-iron fountains scattered across the streets of Paris — elegant, symbolic, and quietly life-giving.
But few people know their remarkable story: how an English philanthropist’s vision of art, access, and equality shaped the city’s soul.
From Minnesota to Paris: A Life of Curiosity and Creativity
Barbara’s journey began in Minneapolis, where a degree in Humanities set the tone for a lifetime of curiosity, travel, and cultural exploration. After a successful career in communications and writing — including publishing a satirical novel — she eventually found herself drawn back to Paris.
What began as a seven-week stay turned into an annual three-month tradition. And on one of her long walks through the city, she discovered something extraordinary — a single Wallace Fountain that changed everything.
“I was fascinated by its size, its design, its symbolism… and soon I was walking all over Paris to find them all.” — Barbara J. Lambesis
Her exploration became a mission — to photograph, map, and eventually protect these fountains that have quietly served Parisians for more than 150 years.
The History of the Wallace Fountains
After the Siege of Paris (1870), access to clean water was scarce, especially in working-class neighborhoods. Many residents had to pay for contaminated water or turn to beer and wine as safer alternatives.
That’s when Sir Richard Wallace, an English philanthropist living in Paris, stepped in. He donated 50 fountains to the city — elegant works of public art designed to provide free, clean drinking water for everyone, rich or poor.
Each fountain features four Greco-Roman female figures representing virtues Wallace hoped to inspire:
💚 Kindness
💚 Charity
💚 Simplicity
💚 Sobriety
Beyond their beauty, these fountains were built as symbols of equality, health, and compassion — values that remain profoundly relevant today as access to clean water becomes a global concern.
Preserving the Legacy: The Wallace Fountain Foundation
In 2018, Barbara co-founded the Wallace Fountain Foundation to preserve, restore, and celebrate these historic fountains. Her team’s work culminated in the 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2022 — a yearlong series of exhibitions, conferences, and educational programs supported by the City of Paris, the British Embassy, and O de Paris.
Highlights included:
🌿 The installation of a historic Wallace Fountain at the Musée Carnavalet
🎨 Art activities with over 800 Parisian students
🏛️ An award dinner at the British Embassy, honoring modern philanthropists continuing Wallace’s legacy
“The fountains remind us that beauty and generosity can coexist — that even something as simple as a drink of water can connect us all.” — Barbara J. Lambesis
A Symbol for the Future: Art, Water, and the Common Good
Today, Barbara and the Foundation are working to position the Wallace Fountains as a global symbol of equal access to clean drinking water. They’re also collaborating with the Mansart Foundation to restore Château Bagatelle, where Sir Richard Wallace once lived, and to create a statue in his honor.
As Barbara reminds us, the fountains’ legacy isn’t just about history — it’s about our shared humanity and stewardship of the planet’s most vital resource: water.
How to Support and Get Involved
If you’d like to learn more, explore Paris through its fountains, or support the Foundation’s mission, visit:
🔗 WallaceFountains.org – Discover history, download self-guided walking tours, or get the official Wallace Fountains Guidebook
📘 The Wallace Fountains of Paris Guidebook – Available for purchase or digital download
📸 Instagram: @wallacefountains
💧 Facebook: Wallace Fountains Paris
Final Thoughts
Barbara’s story is a beautiful reminder that curiosity and observation can lead to life-changing discoveries — at any age. By following her passion for Paris, she uncovered a legacy of philanthropy, art, and public good that still shapes the city today.
“You never know where life will lead you. Stay curious, stay open — and let the world surprise you.” — Barbara J. Lambesis
