NSW Police were called to Sydney's Hyde Park around 3am on Wednesday following reports a car had crashed into the Archibald Fountain.
Officers assisted the driver out of the vehicle, which had its back wheels submerged in the fountain and front wheels in the air.
The 21-year-old driver is a French national who arrived in Australia two weeks ago on a working visa, according to police.
He was working a shift as a fast food delivery driver when he reversed into the fountain and became stuck, police say.
"The only reason why we know that is because he was eating the food when police arrived on scene," Inspector Anderson Lessing said.
"So I'm sure there's some unhappy customer out there who still hasn't had their Maccas delivered."
The French national has been arrested and charged with negligent driving, not reversing safely, and driving without a valid license.
"It's still early on, and he refused to be interviewed, but we are alleging that he got confused," Mr Lessing told reporters.
The driver passed a preliminary drug and alcohol test, however results are still pending for a blood and urine sample taken at the hospital in the early hours of morning, he said.
A nitrous gas cannister - which is sold to whip cream but can be used as a recreational drug - was seized by police at the scene.
The crash caused $20,000 worth of damage to the monument in Australia's oldest public park.
The Archibald Fountain was unveiled in 1932 to commemorate the alliance between Australian and French forces during WWI.
It sustained minor scuff marks to parts of its outer perimeter but remains functional and open to the public.
"That monument ... holds some significance to our community," Insp Lessing said.
"It's where we celebrate and remember the collaboration between French and Australian troops."
The driver was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on July 15.
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