Fontaine
Monument
Fontaine, located in Annecy (Département 74), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Annecy, Département 74, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 45.8982, 6.1261
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00118347
An elegant 18th-century fountain nestling in the heart of Annecy, this listed water feature bears witness to the urban refinement of Baroque Savoie, combining sculpted limestone with a perpetual gush of water.
History
At the bend in a cobbled lane in the old town of Annecy, this 18th-century fountain stands out as one of those everyday objects that have been elevated to the status of a work of art. Listed as a historic monument since 1930, it belongs to the category of public fountains that once punctuated the civic life of Savoyard towns, serving as gathering points, drinking troughs and symbols of a town's prosperity. What makes this fountain truly unique is its place in the urban fabric of Annecy, one of the best-preserved towns in the French Alps. Built at a time when Savoie was experiencing intense artistic activity under Piedmontese and Baroque influence, it reflects the care taken by local councillors to embellish public spaces. The precision-worked local limestone gives it a golden patina that has been enhanced over the centuries. The experience of visiting is intimate and soothing. The murmur of the water flowing into the pool, the reflection of the surrounding colourful facades, the coolness of the air in summer - all combine to make this monument a memorable stopover. Fans of urban art and civil architecture will find plenty to contemplate here, while photographers will love capturing the play of light on the sculpted stone. The setting in Annéci enhances the charm of the whole: the proximity of the Thiou canal, the medieval arcades and the Palais de l'Isle place this fountain at the heart of an exceptional setting. It is part of a coherent heritage ensemble that makes Annecy one of the major cultural destinations in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, combining nature, history and the Alpine art of living.
Architecture
The fountain is part of the formal repertoire of 18th-century Savoyard civil fountains, characterised by a sober but meticulous composition. It probably consists of a rectangular or polygonal basin in local limestone, fed by a central bowl or a fountain-pillar decorated with a lion's head or a grotesque water-spitting mask - recurring motifs in Alpine decorative iconography from this period. The ashlar, extracted from regional quarries, has an ochre to grey colour depending on the amount of sunlight, acquiring a characteristic patina over the centuries. The sculpted elements bear witness to high-quality local craftsmanship, influenced by the Piedmont workshops active in Savoie. The mouldings, cornices and any engraved inscriptions are part of a classical decorative vocabulary, where geometric rigour is balanced with a few naturalistic ornaments. The dimensions remain modest, in keeping with the practical purpose of the work: a basin measuring around two to three metres on each side, with a central pillar one to one and a half metres high. The way in which the fountain fits into the fabric of Annecy's built environment is in itself an architectural feature: standing out in a small square or nestling at the corner of two lanes, it benefits from a natural setting that is enhanced by the stone and water of the old town. Its near-original state of preservation makes it an authentic testimony to the building and decorative practices of the Savoie of the Enlightenment.
Related Figures
Victor-Amédée II, duc de Savoie et roi de Sardaigne, sous le règne duquel l'urbanisme savoyard connut un essor notable au début du XVIIIe siècleCharles-Emmanuel III, roi de Sardaigne, promoteur des grands travaux d'embellissement des villes savoyardes dans la seconde moitié du XVIIIe siècleLes maçons et tailleurs de pierre annéciens du XVIIIe siècle, artisans anonymes formés aux techniques locales et piémontaisesJean-Baptiste de Lamarck, naturaliste qui séjourna en Savoie et témoigna de l'importance des fontaines dans la vie civile alpineLes édiles municipaux d'Annecy du XVIIIe siècle, commanditaires probables de l'ouvrage dans le cadre d'un programme d'amélioration urbaine
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fontaine located?
Fontaine is located in Annecy, Département 74 department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France.
When was Fontaine built?
Fontaine dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Fontaine open to visitors?
Fontaine is currently closed to visitors.