Villette in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe

La Bassin de Villette

— Histoire de Paris —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2024

1. La Bassin de Villette Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Aboutissement du canal de l'Ourcq, le bassin de La Villette, creusé de 1806 à 1809, fut inauguré en grande cérémonie le 2 décembre 1808 pour fêter la première arrivée d'eau. Long de 800 mètres et large de 80, ce bassin fournit de l'eau en abondance aux Parisiens grâce à quatre galeries qui alimentent les fontaines de la capitale. Il servit aussi de patinoire durant les hivers rigoureux de 1810, 1816, 1820, 1827, et de cadre à des joutes nautiques l'été. A partir de 1838, un coche d'eau relíait Paris à Meaux deux fois par jour dans chaque sens. Toutes ces activités ont favorisé la multiplication des guinguettes le long de ses berges.

(English translation:)
The culmination of the Ourcq Canal, the La Villette basin, dug from 1806 to 1809, was inaugurated with great ceremony on December 2, 1808 to celebrate the first arrival of water. 800 meters long and 80 wide, this basin provided water in abundance to Parisians thanks to four galleries that fed the fountains of the capital. It also served as an ice rink during the harsh winters of 1810, 1816, 1820, 1827, and as a setting for water jousts in the

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summer. From 1838, a water coach connected Paris to Meaux twice a day in each direction. All these activities encouraged the proliferation of guinguettes (open-air taverns/restaurants) along its banks.

Erected by Ville de Paris.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 2, 1808.

Location. 48° 53.038′ N, 2° 22.158′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Villette. It is at the intersection of Quai de la Seine and Avenue de Flandre on Quai de la Seine. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Quai de la Seine, Paris, Île-de-France 75019, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony

and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

La Bassin de Villette Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2024

2. La Bassin de Villette Marker - wide view

this marker: René Perrouault (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Premier Obus de la Bertha / First Shell of the Paris Gun (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jardin Luc-Hoffmann (1967) (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Mr et Mme André Plumet (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Armand Dufour (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Cimetière des Juifs portugais / Portuguese Jewish Cemetery (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Salle de la Marseillaise (approx. half a kilometer away); Annexe de l'état-major régional FFI / French Forces of the Interior regional headquarters (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . . Bassin de la Villette (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 17, 2024.)

Additional keywords. panneau

La Bassin de Villette, looking northeast from marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 1, 2024

3. La Bassin de Villette, looking northeast from marker site

The Bassin de la Villette (La Villette Basin) is the largest artificial lake in Paris. It was filled with water on 2 December 1808. Located in the 19th arrondissement of the capital, it links the Canal de l'Ourcq to the Canal Saint-Martin, and it represents one of the elements of the Réseau des Canaux Parisiens (Parisian Canal Network), a public-works authority operated by the city...- Wikipedia

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.