Fontaine de Pontrieux
MonumentHidden Treasure
Fontaine de Pontrieux, located in Pontrieux (Département 22), 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
- Pontrieux, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.6974, -3.1595
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089539
In the heart of Pontrieux, this 17th-century granite fountain unfurls its octagonal silhouette and concave forms with rare elegance. A jewel of Breton hydraulic art, it is listed as a Historic Monument.
History
In the small town of Pontrieux, in the heart of the Côtes-d'Armor region, stands a fountain whose discretion is matched only by the subtlety of its execution. Built in the 17th century from Breton granite, this work of urban art is a wonderful illustration of the care taken, even in the most modest villages, to embellish public spaces under the Ancien Régime. It's one of those monuments that you discover almost by surprise, and whose grace becomes more and more apparent the closer you get to it. The fountain is distinguished by its octagonal plan, which links it to a learned architectural tradition inherited from the Renaissance and fully embraced in the decorative art of the Grand Siècle. Its prominent angles, punctuated by polygonal bollards, give the whole a geometric rigour that is softened by the fluidity of the concave forms of the crown. The ball at the top, set on a moulded base, completes the composition with a balance that is as much refined street furniture as architectural sculpture. The experience of the visit is intimate and soothing. The water, flowing gently down either side of the specially laid stones, produces a discreet, almost meditative murmur. It's a fountain to be contemplated slowly, observing the details of the granite cutting, the moulded bulges, the folds and protrusions of the grey stone which, depending on the time of day and the season, takes on hues ranging from slate blue to golden brown. Pontrieux itself is well worth a visit: crossed by the Trieux, dotted with wash-houses and timber-framed houses, the commune offers an exceptional setting for those seeking to understand the domestic and civil architecture of inland Brittany. The fountain is a natural part of this landscape, where water is omnipresent and dressed stone tells the story of thousands of years of local know-how.
Architecture
The Pontrieux fountain is a remarkable example of 17th-century Breton lapidary art, carved entirely from local granite, a material favoured by Armorican builders for its resistance to the elements and its ability to accommodate finely chiselled decorations. The whole structure is based on an octagonal plan raised by one step, a classic formula that visually isolates the structure from its surroundings and gives it a monumental presence despite its modest size. Polygonal bollards are placed at the four projecting corners to mark the transitions and reinforce the geometry of the whole. The main body of the fountain is made up of a canted block, the silhouette of which is reminiscent of some canopies or funerary aediculae from the same period. The crown is set on a polygonal base adorned with plinths and meticulous mouldings, demonstrating a certain mastery of classical vocabulary. Above, the concave forms - a notable aesthetic feature - with their two moulded bulges, give the object an unexpected lightness that contrasts with the solidity of the granite. The terminal ball, a recurring decorative motif in the civil and religious architecture of the Grand Siècle, crowns the whole with sober elegance. The hydraulic system is effective in its simplicity: water gushes out of the top and down each side onto carefully-cut receiving stones, creating a natural drainage system that prevents any stagnation. This technical design, combined with the ornamental quality of the work, places the Pontrieux fountain among the most accomplished examples of Breton street furniture from the classical period.
Related Figures
Artisans tailleurs de granit bretons du XVIIe siècle (auteurs présumés de l'ouvrage)Autorités municipales de Pontrieux au XVIIe siècle (commanditaires probables)André Malraux (ministre des Affaires culturelles lors de la politique de protection des monuments en 1964)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fontaine de Pontrieux located?
Fontaine de Pontrieux is located in Pontrieux, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Fontaine de Pontrieux built?
Fontaine de Pontrieux dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Fontaine de Pontrieux open to visitors?
Fontaine de Pontrieux is currently closed to visitors.