Fontaine de la Rotonde stands in Place du Général de Gaulle, at the end of Cours Mirabeau, the main boulevard of Aix-en-Provence. Built in 1860, the fountain is often called a symbol of the city. Three statues crown it, representing justice, agriculture and the fine arts, and lions, leopards and other figures decorate the basin. The square is a good place to start a walk: cafés line the circle, the old town is pedestrian, and the fountain is open at all hours. Come in the morning for quiet, or in the evening when people gather on the steps.
From the Valbelle gift to the fountain
In 1779 the Count of Valbelle left the city of Aix a gift of 30,000 livres. The city used the money to remove its crumbling ramparts and turned to plans for a civic project instead. Ideas took years to settle, and the fountain was finally built in 1860.
The square was laid out between 1840 and 1850. In 1860 a fountain was added at its centre, to plans by the engineers Tournadre and Sylvestre.
The statues and the basin
The three marble statues on top were made by different sculptors. Each one faces a different road: the figure of justice looks toward Cours Mirabeau, the one for agriculture and commerce faces the road to Marseille, and the fine arts figure faces the road to Avignon.
Leopards and lions surround the basin close to the water. The base is decorated with sculptures of children, dolphins, lions and swans, so the lower edge of the fountain repays a slow walk around it.
Around the square and in the evening
Several cafés and restaurants sit around the circle, and they make a comfortable place to watch the fountain. In the evening, young people often gather on the steps in front of the cafés near the Rotonde.
One of the trees near the square is home to green parrots. The fountain is also decorated with lights in some seasons, such as Christmas, so it is worth checking the square at that time of year.
Markets and getting there
Big markets run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings in other squares and neighbourhoods, including Place des Prêcheurs, Place de la Madeleine, Encagnane and Jas de Bouffan. The market also spreads past the fountain and up Cours Sextius, a street that runs parallel to Cours Mirabeau and is closed to cars on market day. A local fair is held on Saturdays near the fountain.
City and intercity buses stop about 10 minutes on foot from the fountain. From there, the pedestrian old town is easy to explore on foot.
FAQ
Where is the Fontaine de la Rotonde?
It is in Place du Général de Gaulle, at the end of Cours Mirabeau, in the centre of Aix-en-Provence.
When was the fountain built?
It was built in 1860, and it was added to a square that had been laid out between 1840 and 1850.
Is the fountain open at night?
The square is open at all hours. In the evening, people often gather on the steps in front of the cafés near the fountain.
How do I get there by bus?
City and intercity buses stop about 10 minutes on foot from the fountain. The old town is pedestrian, so you can walk from the stop.
