Fontaine Royale, Ornamental fountain at Place Royale, Nantes, France.
Description
The Fontaine Royale features a central white marble female figure holding a trident, surrounded by bronze allegories representing the Loire River and its tributaries, along with eight bronze spirits symbolizing local nineteenth-century economic activities.
History
Inaugurated in 1865 by creators Daniel Ducommun de Locle, Guillaume Grootaërs, and Henri-Théodore Driollet, this fountain was built during the Second Empire to celebrate Nantes' economic prosperity and beautify the urban space of Place Royale.
Culture
The fourteen original statues illustrate Nantes' identity by highlighting historical connections with river navigation, viticulture, metallurgy, and industry, demonstrating the city's economic dynamism during the nineteenth century and its maritime heritage.
Practical
Daily flash visits occur at eleven o'clock in the morning without prior booking, lasting approximately twenty to thirty minutes, and visitors can easily access the site via public transportation and parking facilities at Commerce, Graslin, or Decré-Bouffay.
Did you know?
Since summer 2024, artist Willem de Haan temporarily replaces the classical statues with hyperrealistic sculptures representing contemporary Nantes residents chosen based on their professions or social contributions, creating dialogue between urban past and present.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Nantes).
Passage Pommeraye
166 m
Basilique Saint-Nicolas
124 m
Palais de la Bourse
184 m
Rue Crébillon
170 m
Temple du Goût
241 m
Marché de Feltre
213 m
Méridienne de la place de la Bourse
228 m
Mercure Nantes Centre Passage Pommeraye
162 m
Immeuble, 1 place de la Petite-Hollande
235 m
Hôtel de Luynes
259 m
Immeuble, 1-2 allée Jean-Bart
242 m
Immeuble, 6 allée Brancas
162 m
Presbytère Saint-Nicolas
118 m
Immeuble, 1 allée Cassard de Nantes
197 m
Immeuble, 15 Allée Duguay-Trouin
232 m
Immeuble, 28 rue Kervégan
255 m
Immeuble, 2 allée Brancas (Nantes)
191 m
Immeuble, 3-4 allée Brancas
178 m
Immeuble, 5 allée Brancas
170 m
Immeuble, 2 rue de la Fosse (Nantes)
71 m
Immeuble, 1 allée Brancas
146 m
Immeuble, 7 allée Brancas
146 m
Villebois-Mareuil
226 m
Viandas de Salamanca
251 m
Baptism of Jesus by Sébastien Bourdon
132 m
Sainte-Geneviève by Sébastien Bourdon
132 m
Hommage à Jules Verne
109 m
Trompe-l'œil de la place Ferdinand-Soil
147 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes