Fontaine Pradier, Marble fountain at Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, Nîmes, France.
The Pradier Fountain is a marble monument on Esplanade Charles de Gaulle featuring a central female figure encircled by four statues representing local rivers. The central figure wears a decorated crown and commands the plaza with its sculptural details.
The fountain emerged from a competition among 27 submitted designs, created according to plans by architect Charles Questel and sculptor James Pradier. Its construction resulted from this award given to both artists in 1851.
The Latin names inscribed on the water figures—Nemausa for the Nîmes spring, Vardo for Gardon, Ura for Eure, and Rhodano for Rhône—link each statue to local waterways. These inscriptions show how the city historically understood its connection to the waters flowing through the region.
The fountain sits in a one-hectare urban garden facing the train station, making it a central meeting point in the city. The location is easy to reach and works well as a resting spot or landmark when exploring the city.
The crown worn by the central figure contains tiny replicas of Nîmes landmarks, including the Arena and Maison Carrée embedded in its design. Finding these hidden details is a surprising moment when looking closely at the sculpture.
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