Let them drink Perrier!
The Parisian city government just unveiled a sparkling new initiative to install at least one fountain spouting free bubbly water in each of the city’s 20 arrondissements.
Called Fontaine Pétillante, the fountains spout carbonated tap water. It’s not quite LaCroix, but local officials hope the bit of fizz will induce Parisians to stay hydrated, CityLab reports. They also hope the expansion will reduce plastic waste from bottled water.
Paris already boasts eight sparkling water fountains, set up since 2010. But last week, a new one opened near trendy Canal Saint-Martin to kick off the citywide project. Many will be located in idyllic public parks.
A CityLab reporter tested out the Canal Saint-Martin fountain and found it chilly, fizzy and an overall “a magical surprise.” (Just don’t go overboard: research says it may make you fat.)
It seems we’ll always have Paris — to one up the rest of the world.