Located in the center of Place des Cocotiers, the Celestial Fountain is a monumental 26ft (8m) high fountain sculpted by a local artist, Paul Mahoux, from stones from a nearby quarry. Its portrayal of a half-naked woman - deemed scandalous at the time of its inauguration in September 1894 on the 40th anniversary of the takeover of New Caledonia by France - has become emblematic of the city. The model, Céleste Benyamina, gave her name to the fountain.