Gabriel Davioud

Gabriel Davioud
Born	30 October 1824 Paris, France
Died	6 April 1881 Paris, France
Occupation	Architect
Buildings	Theatre du Châtelet and the Théatre Sarah Bernhardt on the place du Châtelet in Paris Fontaine Saint Michel, 5th arrondissement, Paris Barracks on the place of the Republic, 10th arrondissement, Paris The Palace of Trocadero, 16th arrondissement, Paris (demolished for the. Universal Exposition of 1937) The fountain on the Place Felix Eboué, 12th arrondissement, Paris
Projects	Second Grand Prix de Rome

Jean-Antoine-Gabriel Davioud (French: [ʒɑ̃ ɑ̃twan ɡabʁijɛl davju]; 30 October 1824 – 6 April 1881) was a French architect. He spent his entire career as an inspector general under the Baron Haussmann and worked closely with him on the transformation of Paris. Davioud is remembered for the multiplicity of his contributions to Paris' architecture (the theatres of the place du Châtelet), green spaces (the Pre-Catelan garden and the square des Batignolles) and urban amenities (fountains, pavilions, benches and kiosks). These now form an integral part of the style of Haussmann's Paris.

Biography

Davioud was born in Paris and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts under Léon Vaudoyer. After winning a Second Grand Prix de Rome, he was named inspector general for architectural works in Paris, and chief architect for its parks and public spaces.

As a colleague of the urban planner Baron Haussmann, he designed much of the characteristic Parisian street furniture: benches, pavilions, bandstands, fountains, lampposts, signposts, fences and balustrades, jetties, monuments, as well as a number of landmark buildings.

Among his most notable works are the popular Saint-Michel Fountain in Place Saint-Michel, the old Palais du Trocadéro (demolished 1937), and the two theatres at the Place du Châtelet (the Théâtre du Châtelet and the Théâtre de la Ville.)

In 1868, Davioud succeeded Jacques Landry as mayor of Houlgate, where he stayed until 1871. His mandate was interrupted when he was appointed capitaine du génie during the Franco-Prussian War. Noted for his work in Paris, he built a single villa in Houlgate, La Brise, on the Route de Caumont.

Selected works

• Le Panorama National, now the Théâtre du Rond-Point, created for the Universal Exposition of 1855
• Fontaine Saint-Michel, in the Place Saint-Michel, with sculptor Henri Alfred Jacquemart, 1860
• Two theatres at the Place du Châtelet (Théâtre du Châtelet and Théâtre de la Ville), 1860–1862
• Temple de la Sybille on the Île du Belvédère, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, in the 19th arrondissement, 1869
• Fontaine de l'Observatoire and the Avenue de l'Observatoire (with sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and others), 1873
• The Mairie, the municipal building in the 19th arrondissement, 1876–1878
• The former Palais du Trocadéro, built for the Universal Exposition of 1878
• Magasins-Réunis, in the Place de la République
• Jardin des Champs-Élysées
• Wrought-iron grillwork at the Parc Monceau
• Fontaine du Château d'eau, Place Daumesnil, 12th arrondissement
• Entry pavilions for the Bois de Boulogne, 16th arrondissement
• Square des Batignolles, 17th arrondissement

Gallery

• 
  The former Palace of Trocadero, during the Universal Exposition of 1900
• 
  The Davioud Pavilion, Luxembourg Gardens
• 
  Entryway to the Parc Monceau
• 
  Fountain on the place Felix Éboue
• 
  The Saint Michel Fountain
• 
  Another view of the Saint Michel Fountain
• 
  Davioud bench on avenue Henri-Martin
• 
  Fountain on the Place François 1er
• 
  Fountain of the 4 Worlds, at the Observatory

See also

• Napoleon III style
• Fountains in Paris
• History of parks and gardens of Paris

References

• Adolf K. Placzek, Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, Collier Macmillan, 1982, page 504.
• Structurae entry
• Marcel Miocque; Huguette Vernochet; Alain Bertaud; Lise Dassonville-Agron (2001). Houlgate entre mer et campagne. Éditions Charles Corlet. p. 31. ISBN 2-85480-976-9.