Fontaine du Roi René, Stone fountain and statue in Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence, France
Fontaine du Roi René is a stone fountain located in Cours Mirabeau with a circular basin supporting a white marble pedestal topped with four sculpted faces bearing medallions and carved inscriptions. The entire structure weighs approximately 6.6 tons and showcases detailed stonework throughout its design.
The fountain was inaugurated in 1823 to replace an earlier pyramidal structure destroyed during the French Revolution. Its creation required careful engineering to divert water from another source to make it functional.
The fountain shows King René holding muscat grapes and a scepter decorated with a dolphin, symbols of the agriculture and prosperity he brought to the region. This image remains connected to how locals view their land and its products today.
The fountain sits in the upper section of Cours Mirabeau and is easily reached on foot as it stands along the city's main boulevard. The location offers good visibility from all angles and straightforward access.
Moving the fountain from Paris to Aix-en-Provence took approximately one month using specially designed transport platforms, an impressive feat for its time. This lengthy journey reflects how much the city valued this monument.
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