Furry Fontaine d’Eau Chaude
Since “Aix” is derived from the Latin word “aquae”, it’s no surprise that fountains decorate the cityscape.
18th-century Fontaine d’Eau Chaude (hot water) or La Fountaine Moussue (moss) sits in the middle of the action on Cours Mirabeau and spouts 90-degree F water. The spring from which it draws has been enjoyed for its healing properties for 2000 years.
An attention-getter on Cours Mirabeau
Further down Cours Mirabeau, Fontaine des 9 Canons was built in the 17th century to replace a water fountain for livestock.
The city’s biggest fountain
Fontaine de la Rotonde is the largest fountain and the centerpiece of Place Général de Gaulle, at the foot of Cours Mirabeau. It was constructed in the late-19th century, at which time it was symbolized the city’s openness to the world, free of gates and ramparts. The three statues represent justice, agriculture and art.
La Fontaine des Trois Ormeaux
I especially liked this decorative fountain, La Fontaine des Trois Ormeaux, with its basket of fruit and flowers, topped with bunch of grapes.
A great gift: grapes
At Fontaine du Roi René, King René holds Muscat grapes that he introduced to the area in the 15th century.
Cézanne is everywhere!
Fontaine des Baigners was used for the thermal baths back in the Roman era. This used to be a hot water fountain, but the source was diverted to another, more central fountain in the 17th century, and to the Fontaine d’Eau Chaude in the 18th. The angels and basin are original; the bronze Cézanne medallion was designed by Renoir and added later on.
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