Homepage>>>Tourism>>>Aix en Provence>>>Fountains
backfontains
History
Patrimony
The city
Traditions
Lodgings
" Village of Art, Village of Water ", Aix en Provence is a thermal water village whose hot and cold water today serve as the source for among other things more than twenty magnificent fountains that you'll find all over the town center (centre ville).
True works of art, they literally ornament the city making Aix one of France's loveliest cities and giving it the title "City of a Thousand Fountains."

The fountains bring a convivial and charming aspect to the city. Take a coffee in the shade of a plane tree (platane) and near the coolness of a streaming fountain and hear its murmuring waters: this is one of the Provencal population's favorite pastimes. The list of fountains that follows will take you across the city and reveal some of Aix's most enchanted places.
Click on the fountain icons to learn more :
 
La fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (The Fountain of the Four Dolphins) :

One of the best-known fountains in Aix en Provence, in the middle of one of the city's most renowned squares. The fountain's name derives from its four highly stylized dolphins who "spit" water directly into the small basin and which support the small center obelisk. The square is as famous as the fountain that gives its name, at the heart of one of the oldest sections of Aix- the Mazarin Quarter. This small square in the shade of four corner trees is an example of the charms and pleasures of strolling through the ancient neighborhoods of Aix.
Fountain rue des Bagniers :

In the heart of the pedestrian streets of Aix, the fountain of the Rue des Bagniers is set into the wall and in it we can see a medallion of Cézanne done by Renoir.
The Fountain of Place d'Albertas :

One of the most typical and well-known squares of Aix. Built in the 18th century, it became home in 1912 to a large circular fountain of atypical form. The water falls from an ornamental basin the foot of which is decorated in art nouveau style (very floral) into a larger basin whose contours are edged in ironwork.
The Fountain Pascal :

This fountain owes its name to the industrial company Pascal, which gifted it to the city in 1922. It is located at the top of Cours Sextius and is directly fed by the city's thermal water sources.
The Fountain Villeverte (Green Village):

Created in two stages, the base was sculpted and put together by Escursau and the vase on top was then added in 1848; you will discover this small fountain at the bottom of the Cours Sextius.
The Fountain of the Place des Prêcheurs :

One of the larger fountains of Aix en Provence, this fountain is second in size only to the fountain of the Rotonde. Constructed in 1758, the large obelisk at its center is first to grab your attention- four lions support it and a sphere tops its summit.

Chastel sculpted the obelisk and its sphere and on each of the pedestal's four sides one may see medallions with the effigy of Sextius Calvinus (Roman founder of Aix), of Charles III (last sovereign Count of Provence), of Louis XV (king reigning during the time the fountain was built) and of Louis XVIII (last titular count of Provence).
The Fountain of the Place des Augustins :

A small square just off the Cours Mirabeau, the Place des Augustins is one of the smaller squares where one may stop off to enjoy a refreshing drink or even a meal at a cozy, terraced restaurant.
The fountain was built in 1620, and then rebuilt two centuries later. Its upper section is currently under renovation.
The Fountain d'Argent (the Fountain of Silver) :

At the corner of the Rue de la Mule Noire (Street of the Black Mule) and the old Rue des Jardins, the Fontaine d'Argent is an exquisitely sculptured piece constructed by the architect Vallon.
The Fountain of Fontêtes :

Another of these smaller fountains you'll encounter during your strolls through the cozy little streets of Aix, this fountain is to be found at the intersection of Rue Mérindol and the Place des Cardeurs.
At its summit is a small angel and on two of the smaller sides of the central column are floral motifs and badges with the heads of lions and little angels.
The Fountain des Neufs Canons (Fountain of the Nine Cannons) :

The third fountain along the Cours Mirabeau has a large base, which is due to the fact that it served at one point as a watering place for migratory animals passing through Aix en Provence.
The Fountain of Roi René :

At the end of the Cours Mirabeau, this fountain appears to dominate the central avenue of Aix en Provence. The Statue of King Roi Rene, sculpted by David and based on the designs of Revoil, is nicknamed "Good King Rene" and is well worth a look.
One can see his scepter and a Muscat grape, which he introduced into Provence, as well as numerous art-related objects at his feet - he was a great defender of the Arts, Sciences and Letters. Work on this fountain was completed in 1923.
The "Mossy" Fountain :

" The Mossy Fountain " with its hot water is situated at the midpoint of the Cours Mirabeau. It is the most atypical fountain in Aix because of its 18-degree (65-degree F.) water streaming out and over a large rock covered in thick, green moss.
Halfway between a plain, solid rock and a sculpted fountain, it will pleasantly surprise you with its unique and unusual appearance.
The Fountain of the Rotonde :

The famous Fountain of the Rotonde, the veritable picture postcard of Aix en Provence. An immense fountain at the foot of the Cours Mirabeau, it has a diameter of 32 meters and was constructed in 1860.
The immense principal basin is decorated with statues of lions, swans and dolphins ridden by angels and a large pedestal at its center supports three statues: that of Justice turning toward the Cours Mirabeau, that of Commerce and Agriculture turned toward Marseille and that of the Arts pointed in the direction of Avignon.
In all the fountain measures 12 meters in height and gushing water in all directions, the majestic fountain is in many ways the very image of Aix en Provence. Inevitably, your steps will guide you to this area during your tour of Aix.



The Fountain of the Two Cannons :

Dating from 1532 the Fountain of the Two Cannons is located at the intersection of Rues Mignet and Boulegon and is one of the small fountains that you risk not really seeing because after a short while on your leisurely walks in the city you will be used to constantly coming across such fountains. But it is in such fountains that the full charm of Aix can be found.
Fountain of la Place Bellegarde :

The Place Bellegarde is located at the edge of the centre ville alongside the periphery road which encircles the city. Trees and benches border the square with this large fountain at its center and you can't miss it if you drive around Aix by car.
The Fountain of la Place des Tanneurs :

During the summer, one of the most convivial squares in Aix is the Place des Tanneurs. An immense plane tree covers it with enough shade to conserve the coolness diffused by the fountain during the hottest moments of summer. Quite naturally, the restaurants of the area installed their terraces around this fountain and allow you to benefit from one of the moments of downtime so pleasant in southern France.
The Saint Louis Fountain :

In the manner of the fountain of the Place des Augustins and the fountain of the Place Bellegarde, the Fountain Saint Louis is adorned at its center by a Roman column. It is located at the foot of the Cours des Arts et Métiers and you will notice it immediately as you travel around Aix by car.
The Fountain des Trois Ormeaux (Fountain of the Three Elm Trees) :

Situated in the quarter of the antique dealers and the Palace of Justice, this fountain, dating back to the 17th century, has an octagonal basin from which water is projected by four cannons and whose center contains a column decorated with floral motifs.
The Espeluque Fountain :

On the very old Place de l'Archevêché, in the middle of what is called the Bourg Saint Sauveur, one can find this fountain which boasts a medallion representing the historian Marcel Provence.
The Fountain of the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) :

This majestic fountain, located right in the center of the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, was in fact constructed during two periods. In 1756, the square was decorated with a Column discovered during archeological digs behind the Hospital Saint Jacques. The polygonal fountain is surrounded the majority of the time by café terraces in this square that is so highly appreciated for its cool temperatures during the summer.