Jeanneke Pis is a modern fountain and statue in Brussels, which forms a counterpoint in gender terms to the city's trademark Manneken Pis at the Grand Place (Grote Markt). It was commissioned by Denis-Adrien Debouvrie in 1985 and erected in 1987 and endowed with its own instant legend, the better to amuse strollers. This half-metre-high statue of blue-grey limestone depicts a little girl with her hair in short pigtails, squatting and urinating, apparently very contentedly. It is unsurprisingly much less well known than its male counterpart, being a new addition instead of a centuries-old symbol of the city. The sculpture is now protected by iron bars from vandalism.
Visitor Info
Rating
★ 4.1 1,700 reviews
Visit Time
~10 min
Best Time
Daylight hours
Insider Tips
- · Treat it as a quick curiosity near the beer bars and Grand Place area
- · It is much easier to miss than Manneken Pis, so check a map before you wander
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Jeanneke Pis created? ▾
The statue was created by artist Denis-Adrien Debouvrie and unveiled in 1987, over 360 years after Manneken Pis, as a feminist counterpart and humorous commentary on the original.
Why is it behind a locked fence? ▾
The fence was added to protect the statue from vandalism and theft; visitors throw coins through the bars as a good-luck ritual, and the collected money funds cancer research.
Is Jeanneke Pis officially recognised by the city? ▾
Unlike Manneken Pis, Jeanneke Pis is not an official city monument — it was installed on private land — but the city has since embraced it as part of Brussels' quirky identity.
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Jeanneke Pis — offline map & tips