Le crapaud de Bettua, Bronze fountain sculpture in Lausanne, Switzerland
Le crapaud de Bettua is a bronze fountain sculpture in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Ignazio Bettua in 2003. It depicts a large toad with big emerald eyes, and it also works as a drinking fountain on the Promenade Derrière-Bourg.
The work was made in 2003 by Ignazio Bettua, an artist who lives and works in Lausanne. It was placed on the Promenade Derrière-Bourg as part of the city's public art trail.
The fountain plays with the Brothers Grimm tale of the frog prince, inviting passersby to kiss the toad while they quench their thirst. It has become a familiar presence on the promenade, and its lit eyes make it easy to spot after dark.
You can find the sculpture on the Promenade Derrière-Bourg, near Place Saint-François, in the city center. It is easy to reach on foot and is best visited during a walk through the area, when you can stop for a drink and a closer look.
The toad's large eyes light up at night, casting a glow that makes the sculpture stand out in the dark. This detail is easy to miss during the day, when the bronze blends with its surroundings.
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