Palmier Fountain Upon approaching Place du Châtelet, the first thing one will notice is the large fountain that sits in the center. Known as the Palmier Fountain, it was built in 1808 and erected to pay homage to Napoleon’s victory in Egypt. A golden winged figure sits atop the column in the center of the fountain and a number of sphinx surround it, each commemorating a famous battle, including the Siege of Danzig (1807, Prussia), the Battle of Ulm (1805, Austria), the Battle of Marengo (1800, Italy), the Battle of the Pyramids (1798, Egypt), and the Battle of Lodi (1796, Italy).
