Fontaine de la Rotonde (Fountain of the Rotunda), Aix-en-Provence

The Count of Valbelle checked out in 1779, but not before leaving the city of Aix a generous parting gift: 30,000 livres, which was the currency at the time. By November, the city decided to put that money to work鈥攐ut went the crumbling ramparts, and in came plans for something more civic-minded. Ideas floated around for a while (as they tend to do), but it wasn鈥檛 until 1860 that the most iconic splash zone in town got born: the Fountain of the Rotunda.

Long known for its love affair with water鈥攆rom Roman baths to bubbling neighborhood spouts鈥擜ix needed a proper fountain to fortify its reputation. The Rotunda Fountain delivered. Towering nearly 40 feet, it was the first in the city to feature a cast-iron basin. Lions lounge around its edge like they own the place, while bronze children cling to swans mid-ride, adding just the right touch of misdemeanor.

Further up, a second bowl rests above the pool, this one guarded by snarling cheetah heads that look like they鈥檝e seen things. Crowning the whole affair is a trio of ladies鈥攅ach facing a different destiny. 鈥淛ustice,鈥� by Joseph Marius Ramus, stares down Mirabeau Boulevard toward the courthouse. 鈥淐ommerce and Agriculture,鈥� by Louis Chabaud, keep watch toward Marseille鈥檚 factories. And 鈥淔ine Arts,鈥� by Hippolyte Ferrat, gazes toward Avignon. Together, they鈥檙e known as the Three Graces鈥攁 rather dignified nickname for a fountain that never stops showing off.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Fontaine de la Rotonde (Fountain of the Rotunda)
Sight Location: Aix-en-Provence, France (See walking tours in Aix-en-Provence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

Create Your Own Walk in Aix-en-Provence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Aix-en-Provence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Aix-en-Provence Fountains and Squares Tour

Aix-end-Provence is known for its fountains. With more than 1,000 fountains, a tourist could spend weeks walking around the city without glimpsing them all. The fountains began appearing under the Roman empire when the Romans discovered Aix's natural thermal water source. They referred to the area as Aquae Sextiae or the Waters of Sextius.

The fountains appear throughout the city and are... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles

Aix-en-Provence Introduction Walking Tour

Aix-en-Provence may not have coastal views, but it compensates in style with its Roman bathwater and city logistics. Founded in 123 BC by Roman consul Gaius Sextius Calvinus, this southern French settlement鈥攐riginally named Aquae Sextiae, which means 鈥淲aters of Sextius鈥濃€攚as built around its thermal springs and the promise of a good soak. Centuries later, the name was streamlined to... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

In the Footsteps of Paul C茅zanne

Paul C茅zanne, often called the 鈥渇ather of modern art鈥� for bridging 19th-century post-impressionism and the birth of early modernism, caused a bit of a stir early in his career. While staying with Doctor Gachet in Auvers-sur-Oise, he painted his take on Manet鈥檚 Olympia鈥攂ut with a twist. Instead of just a reclining nude, C茅zanne inserted himself into the scene, back turned, like a shy... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles

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