Mossy Fountain, Thermal fountain in Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence, France
The Mossy Fountain is a thermal fountain on Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, featuring a large central stone covered in thick green moss with water flowing continuously over its surface. The water maintains a temperature of approximately 18 degrees Celsius year-round.
The fountain was built in 1667 on Cours Mirabeau and tapped into the warm underground Bagniers spring flowing beneath the street. It was originally designed as a thermal water source and has served residents as a natural water point since its creation.
The fountain serves as a gathering place where locals and travelers stop to cool off and rest on warm days. Its moss-covered appearance creates a natural, lived-in character that sets it apart from the city's other decorated water features.
The fountain is centrally located on Cours Mirabeau and remains accessible 24 hours a day without any entrance fee. It is best visited on warmer days or in the early evening when more activity fills the area.
Unlike traditional decorated fountains, this one maintains a constant temperature year-round and is covered with living moss fed by mineral-rich water. The moss requires no artificial treatment and grows continuously, giving the place its distinctive appearance.
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