Fontaine du Pouffre, Public fountain in Place Leon Blum, Sete, France
Fontaine du Pouffre is a rectangular granite fountain in Place Leon Blum featuring a monumental brass octopus sculpture at its center, with two dolphins spouting water from their mouths. The structure consists of two granite basins that frame this central water feature.
The fountain was commissioned by Mayor Yves Marchand and created by local sculptor Pierre Nocca in 1985 as part of Place Leon Blum's redevelopment. This project marked an important moment in reshaping the city's public spaces.
The octopus design references the local specialty tielle, a traditional dish filled with spiced octopus, known as "pouffre" in regional dialect. The sculpture shows how deeply the sea and local cooking are woven into this port city's identity.
The fountain is located on a central public square, making it easy to find and access from different directions. You can walk around the basin to view the sculpture from various angles and admire the details up close.
The dolphins sculpted into this work appear on Sete's official coat of arms, linking the fountain directly to the city's maritime heritage. This detail shows how the artwork connects to layers of local symbolism and identity.
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