Bartholdi Fountain, Lyon
While every town or city in France is proud of its fountains, Lyon justifiably takes pride in its most famous one 鈥� Bartholdi Fountain 鈥� on Place des Terreaux.
The fountain was designed by Fr茅d茅ric Auguste Bartholdi in 1889 and manufactured by Gaget and Gautier. It was originally intended for the city of Bordeaux when first exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. After the show, however, the mayor of Bordeaux perceived it too expensive for his city, and so the fountain was bought by the mayor of Lyon in 1890.
The centerpiece of the fountain is an allegorical sculpture of the River Garonne, called the 鈥淐har triumphant de la Garonne鈥�, featuring a woman with a small child in a chariot drawn by four water horses. The statue is made of lead on an iron frame; it weighs 21 tons and is 4.85 meters high.
The woman figure represents the Garonne and the four horses with their bridles of water weeds represent its four main tributaries, namely: the Tarn, Ari猫ge, Lot and Gers. The horses are leaping and plunging, thus symbolizing these tributaries jumping into the sea. However, since placed in Lyon, the woman figure is believed to be representing the River Sa么ne instead.
Architect Bartholdi is best known for his other major works, like the Lion of Belfort created in 1879 and the Statue of Liberty in 1886.
The fountain was designed by Fr茅d茅ric Auguste Bartholdi in 1889 and manufactured by Gaget and Gautier. It was originally intended for the city of Bordeaux when first exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. After the show, however, the mayor of Bordeaux perceived it too expensive for his city, and so the fountain was bought by the mayor of Lyon in 1890.
The centerpiece of the fountain is an allegorical sculpture of the River Garonne, called the 鈥淐har triumphant de la Garonne鈥�, featuring a woman with a small child in a chariot drawn by four water horses. The statue is made of lead on an iron frame; it weighs 21 tons and is 4.85 meters high.
The woman figure represents the Garonne and the four horses with their bridles of water weeds represent its four main tributaries, namely: the Tarn, Ari猫ge, Lot and Gers. The horses are leaping and plunging, thus symbolizing these tributaries jumping into the sea. However, since placed in Lyon, the woman figure is believed to be representing the River Sa么ne instead.
Architect Bartholdi is best known for his other major works, like the Lion of Belfort created in 1879 and the Statue of Liberty in 1886.
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Bartholdi Fountain on Map
Sight Name: Bartholdi Fountain
Sight Location: Lyon, France (See walking tours in Lyon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lyon, France (See walking tours in Lyon)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lyon, France
Create Your Own Walk in Lyon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lyon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lyon Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Lyon 鈥� capital of France鈥檚 Auvergne-Rh么ne-Alpes region 鈥� has been around for 2,000 years, sitting at the confluence of the Rh么ne and Sa么ne rivers. Established in 43 BC as a settlement for Roman refugees of war, it was also the capital of the Gauls at the time of the Roman Empire; two Emperors 鈥� Claudius and Caracalla 鈥� were born here. Due to its foundation on the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Food Tour in Lyon
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Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
At the heart of Lyon's culinary culture is the Paul... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Lyon's Architectural Landmarks
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC, the charming French city of Lyon has played a major role in the political, cultural, and economic development of Europe for many years. The city's two millennia-long history is clearly imprinted in its urban fabric, manifested in numerous buildings of various epochs and styles.
Among the plethora of local architectural landmarks, the Ancient... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Among the plethora of local architectural landmarks, the Ancient... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Gastronomic Delights: 10 Places to Buy Great Food in Lyon, France
The city of Lyon is famous for its contribution to the culinary arts. Here food lovers will find hundreds of specialty shops throughout the city offering some of the world's finest and award-winning products fit to delight any epicurean palate. Let your taste buds lead you on this voyage into...