PalenQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhcQInZbAfs

Once not long ago it seemed that public urinals for men - called vespasiennes - a name taken from Emperor Vespasienne who was responsible for creating ancient Rome's public urinals, were everywhere.

And now I am shocked to hear that there is only one left? (See You Tube) - but I could not catch where this icon is - anyone know?

Thanks

Amsterdam still has many public urinals like these - metal things with whole at eye level so you can see out and kind of feel like your urinating on the street!

Any other cities with these type of vesapsiennes?

aliced

PalenQ, I liked your threads more about Switzerland -- sorry, yuck, and no dont know of any and dont want to!

nukesafe

Don't know where this is, but the text that appears on the video says it sits across from a "maximum prison". How many of those would be in Paris?

Michael

<i>How many of those would be in Paris?</i>

Probably la Santé.

StCirq

It is la Santé (maximum prison) - said so in the Wikipedia blurb.

michelhuebeli

As the video crawls along, don't you start to feel rather embarrassed, after about 30 seconds, like looking over your shoulder to see who is watching you staring at this thing? Not sure what the big deal is...

kerouac

I've always imagined that keeping one pissotière outside of the Santé would be so that people coming out after a 20 year sentence won't feel too disoriented.

Actually, there is a popular new device that has popped up in various parts of Paris and which apparently is also used at events like Oktoberfest where a sudden need to pee might manifest itself. However, you have to not be shy to use one of these. I myself have not been desperate enough yet.

http://heteronomie.fr/wp-content/upl...g-urinoirs.jpg

PalenQ

Yes kerouac I have seen those very exposed urinals at places like Octoberfest and festivals - yes and don't be shy - to me these things which would never EVER be in a public place in more prudish America illustrate Europeans' more tolerance in general - like unisex toilets in many countries - these freak out Americans! But like the old joke goes you may be an American but in a European toilet you're European (you're a peeing)!

Ackislander

There is one very similar to this between the Mairie and the Metro in Saint Denis, just around the corner from the Cathedral. I thought it was some kind of place to throw coins for charity! But the use became obvious as I got closer.

kerouac

You see them very often at fun fairs now, and also at Paris Plages along the Bassin de la Villette. I would imagine that the big outdoor rock concerts use them, too.

kerouac

You see them very often at fun fairs now, and also at Paris Plages along the Bassin de la Villette. I would imagine that the big outdoor rock concerts use them, too.

kerouac

You see them very often at fun fairs now, and also at Paris Plages along the Bassin de la Villette. I would imagine that the big outdoor rock concerts use them, too.

kerouac

Wow, when Fodor's gets the hiccups, it gets them bad!

PalenQ

http://joeb-tallyho.blogspot.com/201...r-pissoir.html

a detailed article - prison is on Blvd Arago in Montparnasse - neat photos of the pissoir out front - have to put this on my 2 Due list!

kerouac

Keeping in mind that <i>pissoir</i> is the German term for <i>urinoir</i>.

wrlitchfield

I visited it in Aug 2012. It's still there and worth checking out - but not in flip-flops. It's kind of nasty. It is a short walk from the catacombs of Paris. Check out my blog post for pictures and history about the vespasienne.
http://urinalsoftheworld.blogspot.co...-in-paris.html

TDudette

I first thought this would be about a female Vespa...

nukesafe

LOL, Dude!

Dukey1

"Amsterdam still has many public urinals like these"

Right. Last time I was there it was an alleyway directly off Dam Square...a really HUGE urinal to say the least but perhaps better than directly into a canal.