Fontaine Sainte-Marie
Fontaine Sainte-Marie is a stone fountain in central Rouen on the Esplanade Marcel Duchamp that was built in the late 1800s. The monument features sculptural figures representing local rivers and farming life, with an underground reservoir that originally supplied water to the city.
The fountain was inaugurated in 1879 following a design competition and combined artistic sculpture with underground water storage for the city. Lighting systems evolved from gas lamps to electricity in 1919, and the monument underwent major restorations in 1914 and 1983.
The fountain is named after Saint Mary and reflects how the city valued water as both a practical and civic resource. It remains a gathering spot where locals and visitors pause to appreciate the craftsmanship and the public space it creates.
The fountain is easily reached by public transport, with the Beauvoisine metro station and several bus lines nearby. It is well-positioned for a stop during a walk through the historic center, especially when exploring other nearby monuments and museums.
The fountain was designed following a city design competition, with sculptors Alexandre Falguière and Edouard de Perthes creating figures representing local rivers, farming activities, and regional animals. The artwork tells the story of Rouen's agricultural heritage and connection to its surrounding waterways.
Location: Rouen
Inception: January 1, 1879
Address: 55 Rue Louis Ricard, 76000 Rouen, France
Website: https://rouen.fr/fontaine-sainte-marie
GPS coordinates: 49.44716,1.10061
Latest update: December 9, 2025 16:56
The city of Rouen tells its history through its buildings and public spaces. In the city center, the Notre-Dame Cathedral stands tall with detailed Gothic facades and an astronomical clock that has fascinated visitors for centuries. Around it, the small streets of the old town show houses with visible wooden walls, built following local traditions, like Saint-Maclou Church with its detailed cloister. Each corner of the street shows a different time in the city's life, from medieval homes to the changes the city has gone through. The museums in Rouen keep collections that show the local past. There, you can see blacksmith-made objects, evidence of the region’s maritime history, and natural science collections that reveal the curiosity of past centuries. These places give a good break to learn how the Normans shaped their surroundings. The botanical garden is a quiet place for a walk among the plants, and the Sainte-Catherine hill offers views of the roofs and towers of the city.
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