Place Joachim-du-Bellay is a vast square located near the center of Paris, France, on the path of the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
This square is located near Les Halles and the Pompidou Center, along with being surrounded by many ethic restaurants and stores, thus making this a well provided for and diverse location.
The place Joachim-du-Bellay was built on the spot of the previously erected Saints Innocents Cemetery - which has a controversial past itself - in 1787, after the cemetery's destruction. The Fountain of Innocents now resides in the center of the square, marking the last still standing remnant of the cemetery.
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While the history of the location on which place Joachim-du-Bellay resides is long and rich, this history of the square itself is rather simple.
The previous structure was that of the Saints Innocents Cemetery, which operated, along with The Church of the Saints Innocents, from the 9th century (Middle Ages) to 1780 AD (during the Ancien Régime in France), when it was closed due to overuse.
The Saints Innocents Cemetery is notable because it held the first documented mural of Danse Macabre, a style of painting during late-medieval times emphasizing the impact of Death on lives and all ages. This mural was destroyed, however, almost 200 years after its construction, in 1669.
The cemetery held a fountain, originally named Fountain of the Nymphs and now known as Fountain of Innocents (or, Fontaine des Innocents). This fountain was dismantled in 1787 when the grounds of the church and cemetery were finally torn down, and in its place was erected a stone layed square, place Joachim-du-Bellay, that was originally an herb and vegetable market.
The Fountain of Innocents was re-assembled soon thereafter the completion of said square and earned itself a placement in the center of place Joachim-du-Bellay, where it now stands. The Fountain of Innocents is the oldest monumental fountain in Paris.
The place is also thought to be named after Joachim du Bellay, a French poet and literary critic (1522–1560), although no confirmation of this was available.
Life of French Poet Joachim du Bellay Enotes. Summary format.
Ancien Régime in France Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Danse Macabre Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
1780s Major events of the 1780s - year by year. Not previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Cemetery, Fountain and Relocation of Fountain of Innocents. Tourist side A View On Cities. Outside Wikipedia source on previously referenced sites via Wikipedia.
French Wikipedia Page on Place Joachim-du-Bellay Written in French. Brief summary.
Fontaine des Innocents Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Saints Innocents Cemetery Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).