The Montsouris reservoir, the cathedral of water

The Montsouris Reservoir, known as the "Cathedral of Water", is a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering built in the nineteenth century in Paris. Located near Montsouris Park, it still supplies the capital with drinking water. Built between 1869 and 1874 by engineer Eugène Belgrand, it is part of the city's extensive water supply network. The reservoir is composed of imposing vaults, majestic pillars and can store more than 200,000 cubic meters of drinking water.

The Montsouris reservoir rests on former underground quarries and consists of four compartments spread over two floors. To support this immense load, nearly 1800 arch-shaped pillars were carved into the rock. The water stored there is a beautiful lagoon blue, adding a touch of beauty to this impressive work. Although the reservoir has been closed to the public for almost twenty years due to its sensitivity and safety standards, it exceptionally opens its doors during the European Heritage Days.

The Montsouris reservoir testifies to the ambition of the time and the importance given to the supply of quality water for Parisians. Thanks to the sanitation work undertaken by Baron Haussmann and the efforts of Eugène Belgrand, Paris has succeeded in improving access to drinking water for a large part of its population. Today, the Montsouris reservoir represents 20% of the water consumed by Parisians, highlighting its crucial role in the daily life of the capital. Did you know that trout were used until 1996 to check water quality?