Fontaine de la coquille, Renaissance fountain in Villers-Cotterêts, France
The Fontaine de la Coquille is a stone fountain featuring a shell-shaped design with an animal head at its center, located in Villers-Cotterêts. The structure displays the ornamental characteristics typical of its construction period and anchors the small plaza where it stands.
The current structure was built in 1872 by sculptor Charles Gilbert, replacing an earlier fountain from 1833. It served as a water source for the town until 1929.
The fountain stands at the intersection of Rue Demoustier and Rue Tronchet, serving as a central gathering spot for residents across generations. This location makes it a natural meeting point where daily life in town naturally converges.
The fountain is centrally located in Villers-Cotterêts and easy to reach on foot. Visitors will find it accessible during daylight hours at its permanent location in the town center.
The original human head ornament was replaced with a mythical creature head, changing the fountain's appearance. This transformation in the 20th century reflects how the monument adapted over time.
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