Aix-en-Provence: The Fountains
Aix-en-Provence, “the city of a thousand fountains,” may be a bit of an exaggeration yet it’s fun to see all the water flowing freely through the town. It’s hot here in the summer and it’s been very fun to sit out on a terrace sipping vin rosé and watch life happen continuously around the fountains. Mostly it seems the four-legged citizens of Aix are happy to have them in plentitude as I saw many dogs jump up into the fountains to cool off and have a drink. The good news for the dogs during the heat is it’s easy to find a fountain on any street, in any alley, or any major square here.
In 1860, the town commissioned the most famous of all Aix’s fountains, La Rotonde, located on a busy roundabout at one end of the Cours Mirabeau, it stands 12 meters high (39 feet), with a diameter of 41 meters (134 feet). One female figure on top faces la Cours Mirabeau and represents Justice. A second female figure faces Avignon and suggests the Fine Arts. A third female faces Marseille and signifies Agriculture. The three figures embody the main business concerns of Aix and majestically stand in la Place d’Albertas. If you get lost in the Old Town which is easy to do with all the winding streets, you simply need to walk downhill, and you will find your way back to La Rotonde. This always made it easy for me to find home.
(Address: Fontaine de la Rotonde, Place de la Rotonde, Aix-en-Provence, France)
This has become a favorite little square & fountain in Aix for me. I happened upon it and loved it immediately. When I was taking pictures and just admiring it all, a lovely French woman walked by and commented on the beauty. I found an article that said the Albertas family arrived from Alba in Italy in the 18th century to take possession of a house they had inherited. Several members of the family made dramatic renovations, building an ornate Baroque square. In 1912, a fountain was added in keeping with the style and in 2000, the square became a national monument.
(Address: Place d’Albertas, 11 Rue Espariat, Aix-en-Provence, France)
A fountain close to Cours Mirabeau I recommend you track down is in the Place des Quatre Dauphins (Square of the Four Dolphins) built by Jean-Claude Rambot in 1667. This was apparently the first free-standing fountain in Aix.
(Address: Fontaine de 4 Dauphins, Place des 4 Dauphins, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France)
Another favorite, very close to my Airbnb, the fountain of moss (moussue) is easy to spot and lovely to see. Situated on the Cours Mirabeau, its water source is natural (from the Bagniers spring), so is often warm.
(Address: Fontaine Moussue, Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence, France)
Place des Prêcheurs is one of the main squares in Aix en Provence, where the main law court is situated. It used to be the heart of public life before the Cours Mirabeau was built. Its fountain was initially built by Jean-Pancrace Chastel in 1748, was destroyed in 1793 and then rebuilt in 1833, thanks in part to American sponsorship.
(Address: Fontaine des Prêcheurs, Place des Prêcheurs, Aix-en-Provence, France)
