Salut! Our names are Marcel and Marceau and we live near the Fontaine Saint-Michel in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. On sunny days, our people like to take us to the fountain and throw a ball for us. We jump, run, and splash around the fountain, sometimes for hours! Our favorite part of the day is when we get to play in the fountain and usually there is a large crowd watching us. We love putting on a "show" for the tourist who are watching us (even though it is probably more fun for us than them). As I think about the times we play in the fountain and the crowds that watch, I realize how unique our "show" is and the role Paris plays in it. The atmosphere of the city allows freedom of creativity and revolves around the expression of lust for life. While we are just two dogs playing in a fountain, we represent pure bliss and excitement.
We are also aware that the fountain must add to the allure we have on the crowd. The beautiful Fontaine Saint-Michel was finished in 1860. It was part of Baron Haussmann's reconstruction of Paris in the mid-1800's. He created the street Boulevard Saint-Michel and had room for a fountain at the end. Haussmann then brought in the architect, Gabriel Davioud, to create the fountain. Originally, Davioud wanted a statue of peace to be at the center, but the French government shut that down and called for a different statue. Therefore, the Archangel Michael wrestling with the devil is at the center of the fountain now. Additionally, the shape of the fountain has a similar look of another famous Parisian landmark, the Arc de Triomphe. Most of the time we spend at the fountain is centered around our play time. However, when we take the time to really look at the fountain, we realized how beautiful it is and how important it is to the French people and history. Even as dogs, we can appreciate the city we live in and the places we get to see. Paris is a great place for a dog to live!
That's me, Marcel, in the fountain.
And that's me, Marceau, waiting my turn.
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