The Fountains of Anduze

Once Anduze had a lot of wells, and some breathtaking fountains still can be found today. The surrounding of the rocky mountain ranges provides an inexhaustible supply of water, which is also of excellent quality.

The fountains – an overview

Brunnen von Anduze: La Fontaine Pagode
Fountains of Anduze: La Fontaine Pagode | ©: www.anduze-info.com

La Fontaine Pagode

One of the most popular and must see fountains is the Pagoda Fountain (La Fontaine pagoda) with its coloured and glazed clay tiles on the village- and marketplace "La Place Couverte," also called "Place l'Orgerie." The fountain dates back to the 17th century (1648). It was designed by a merchant from Anduze and financed after his return from a business trip from Asia. He was inspired by the pagoda style in Asia. This fountain has found its place on almost every postcard of Anduze.

La Fontaine des Potiers

The "pottery fountain" (la Fontaine des Potiers) is located on the corner of the intersection of Rue Gaussorgues and Rue Fusterie. It represents a sculpture in the Baroque style. It received the name "pottery fountain" because an unusually large number of pottery workshops were located in this quarter.

La Fontaine de la Place Saint-Étienne

The fountain in the square in front of the church Saint-Etienne (La Fontaine de la Place Saint-Etienne) resembles an obelisk who rests on three stone spheres. On market days, the fountain is surrounded by market stalls. The fountain was built in 1715 at a former cemetery. Today, the square in front of the church is called, "La Place de la Republique".

Fountains of Anduze: la Fontaine de la place Saint-Étienne | ©: www.anduze-info.com

Fountains of Anduze: la Fontaine Notre-Dame | ©: www.anduze-info.com

La Fontaine Notre Dame

The "Church Fountain" (La Fontaine Notre Dame) was named after a former chapel. It is said that this chapel once was located on the fountain’s place. The fountain has a beautiful central column whose cone ends in a single ball. Again and again, we see locals come with jerry cans filling them up with the well-known and drinkable water. The fountain was built in 1715 and is also one of the prettiest old town corners of Anduze.

La Fontaine Pradier

The Pradier Fountain (La Fontaine Pradier) is at the top of the Plan de Brie. The fountain with its Corinthian pediment and upright acanthus leaves, made of white marble, was built by the famous sculptor James Pradier around 1835. James Pradier created fountains, and statues in the region, as well as in Paris (grave of Napoleon, Place de la Concorde) and left so his historical mark. Unfortunately, poor quality was used for the fountain in Anduze and therefore, some of its decoration is strongly affected by wear and tear and time. It is said, that originally there was a statue high on the pediment, which eventually disappeared.

Fountains of Anduze: La Fontaine Pradier | ©: www.anduze-info.com

La Fontaine du Bicentenaire

The newest fountain of Anduze (La Fontaine du Bicentenaire) is located at the bottom end of the "Plan de Brie", directly in front of the tourist office or the temple respectively. It was built for the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution in the year 1989. It consists of 2 pillars stumps and contains Doric as well as Greek elements. The fountain corresponds with the Pradier Fountain, located at the upper end of the "Plan de Brie.”

La Fontaine du Pont

A small fountain (La Fontaine du Pont) can be found on the Rue Basse, levelling with the conjunction of the Rue du Pont. Unfortunately, it’s a bit weathered, and its basin was replaced with a concrete basin.

Cantarano

Supposedly there is another fountain somewhere on the left side of the Gardon; called "Cantarano" Fountain of singing frogs. Unfortunately, I have not found it yet.