In the 17th century, the Rond Point des Champs Elysées marked the end of the perspective drawn by Le Nôtre. As the avenue was extended in the 18th century, from then on the Rond point marked the limit between the urbanized area and the Champs Elysées gardens.
In the 17th century, the Rond Point des Champs Elysées marked the end of the perspective drawn by Le Nôtre. As the avenue was extended in the 18th century, from then on the Rond point marked the limit between the urbanized area and the Champs Elysées gardens.
During the redevelopment of the avenue in 1840, the architect Jacques Hittorff installed a large circular basin in the center of the roundabout. In 1865, as part of his major works, Haussmann decided to remove it and replace it with six small fountains located at each "corner" of the square. These were small circular basins with a water jet built by Gabriel Davioud.
In 1932, these six fountains were adorned with sprays of Baccarat crystal designed by Lalique. Deteriorated, they were again replaced in 2018 by the current fountains.
These are works by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. A large central pole rotates onto which are grafted arms which pour water into the Davioud basins. A lighting system illuminates the jets to magnify the sparkle of the water.
Marcel Dassault:
The roundabout also bears the name of Marcel Dassault, of whom here is a brief biography:
Marcel Bloch was a great French industrialist passionate about aviation. After participating in the arming of the French air force during the First World War, he founded the Bloch aeronautical company in 1928.
During World War II, he was arrested first by Vichy and then by the Gestapo. Refusing to collaborate, he is sent to the Buchenwald camp. In 1944. Back in France, he took the surname of Dassault. Dassault is taken from the code name Chardasso, "tank," one of the pseudonyms used by his brother, General Darius Paul Bloch, in the Resistance.
He rebuilt his business, which would be successful after the war, to become one of the jewels of French industry.
