What are the Wallace fountains?
They are the green cast-iron fountains with four caryatids you see all over Paris. They were donated in the 1870s by the English philanthropist Richard Wallace, and about a hundred are still in use. Most of them work seasonally, roughly from mid-March to mid-November, and are switched off in winter because of the risk of frost.
Where else can you refill for free?
Beyond the Wallace fountains, Eau de Paris runs modern water points in parks, squares and near major sights: the Tuileries, the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Champ de Mars and the Buttes-Chaumont all have reliable ones. Many of these work all year round. Our live map shows the nearest one to your position.
Is there really free sparkling water?
Yes. A small number of Eau de Paris fountains, mostly in parks, serve chilled sparkling water as well as still water, for free. They are a nice surprise but rare, so check the map before walking across town for one.
Keep it handy while in Paris
- Add it to your home screen: works offline too
- Save your favourite spots
- Turn on ZFE Crit'Air alerts (free)
How do you get free water in a restaurant?
Ask for "une carafe d'eau". By law restaurants must serve tap water free of charge. If you just ask for "water", you may be brought a paid bottle of mineral water for €5-6.