A drinking fountain with personality

On a recent hot humid day, overheated from walking a few blocks in my neighborhood, an image popped into my head. Not of a water sprinkler to jump through, which would have been most welcome, but of a water fountain. A fountain I encountered in Paris. Or rather a fountain that encountered me. It got my attention before I even noticed it.

This is the delightful side of Paris. Of beautiful things. Elegant things. Window displays that make your mouth water. And drinking fountains disguised in pretty designs. Functional and good looking.

I was in Paris on a stifling hot day last September before heading to Saint Jean Pied de Port. It was in the high 30s. I was walking, rather slowly, towards Luxembourg Gardens to take shelter from the beating sun. On my way, quite unannounced, I was sprayed by a fine mist. It came from a ornate cast iron sculpture.

Well hello there. I stepped closer to feel the soft mist on my burning skin. Relief. If only for an instant.

The fixture was taller than me and topped by what looked like a crown. The crown was held up by a circle of four women in flowing dresses. In the centre there was a water spout. I put my water bottle under the device and a cool stream of water came out. Brilliant.

I took a seat on a bench nearby to rest before continuing my walk in the sweltering heat. A few moments later a puff of mist was ejected from some invisible system. A small boy on a bicycle with training wheels rode under the mist.

I admired the spritely drinking fountain. Sipped my cool water. And waited for the next mist attack.