The Lion and Serpent fountain, Public fountain at Saint-Laurent district, Grenoble, France
The Lion and Serpent is a fountain featuring a bronze sculpture of a lion grasping a serpent, mounted on a sandstone base at the foot of the Bastille. The work sits on Rue Saint-Laurent in the Saint-Laurent district and provides drinking water for pedestrians.
Victor Sappey created the work in 1843 following a request from the city for a new public fountain. A limestone portico was added later in the 1950s, bearing plaques marking Grenoble's Roman past.
The sculpture shows a lion grasping a serpent, a subject that appears in local tales and represents Grenoble's relationship with the Isère River. Visitors can understand this image as a symbol of control over the waters that surround the city.
The fountain is easily accessible on Rue Saint-Laurent for pedestrians and cyclists who want a drinking water break. The site sits at the foot of the Bastille, making it easy to reach when walking through the district.
The fountain was from the start both practical and artistic, showing what the city wanted to display. The blend of bronze and local stone reflects Grenoble's connection to its natural resources.
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