FOUNTAINS

The city of Rouen once counted about thirty fountains, fed by the sources of Yonville, Gaalor, Notre Dame, Carville (in Darnétal) and Saint-Nicaise. Destroyed for some, rebuilt for others, or building more recently, they have only a decorative role. The Place du Vieux-Marché is thus integrated into the southeastern corner of the Jeanne-d’Arc Church and appears to collect rainwaters falling on the roof of the building… A dozen ancient or modern fountains are to be visited. Their history, often turbulent, accompanied that of the city.

The Fountain of the Augustins (quai de Paris). Built in 1531 rue des Augustins, the fountain was replaced in 1748, on Pierre Jarry’s plans. It was raised in the square Guillaume-Lion in 1955.

The Fountain of the Croix de Pierre (Place de la Croix-de-Pierre). The first fountain at this site was built in 1517 near a stone cross, erected in 1197 by Bishop Gautier. It was demolished in 1562 by the Calvinists and restored. In 1774, the stone cross was in turn destroyed. Another was placed at the top of the fountain (it will be replaced between 1792 and 1795 by the bust of Marat). Very damaged, the fountain was restored in 1816 and completely rebuilt in 1872, substantially on the model of the old, by Eugène Barthélemy. The original was placed in the square André-Maurois behind the Museum, where it is still located.

The Fountain of La Crosse (at the crossroads of rue des Carmes and rue Beauvoisin). Erected in 1487 on the conduct of the source Gaalor, it was reconstructed in identical, and slightly moved, first in 1861, then after its demolition of August 26, 1944. Its name comes from a badge bearing a lacrosse on a sign from a house nearby.

The Gallo-Roman Fountain (Place de la Pucelle). This third-century fountain was discovered in 1994 during the construction of a building. We can see it behind a glass of this building in the southeast corner of the square.

Gros Horloge Fountain (rue du Gros-Clock). The first fountain, first known as the Massacre Fountain, was built in 1456 and was powered by the source Gaalor, located in the current Pouchet Street. It was replaced by the current fountain in 1733, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Defrance, and celebrated the loves of the god Alphée and the nymph Aréthuse.

The Fountain of Penitents (rue Saint-Hilaire and rue Sainte-Claire). Improperly qualified as a fountain, this construction is actually a distribution chamber built by the city in 1703 on the aqueduct of the source of Carville. It was restored in 1979 and 2003.

The Saint Maclou Fountain (Barthélemy Square, against Saint Maclou Church). A first fountain was built around 1516 meters from the current fountain, which replaced it around 1540. It was restored in 1977.

The Sainte-Marie Reservoir Fountain (at the intersection of Louis-Ricard Street and Rue Sainte-Marie). There is a horse and a beef representing agriculture, two children symbolizing the Robec and the Aubette and the City of Rouby sailing on these two rivers. Built in the nineteenth century, classified as a historic monument, it was restored in 1983.

Saint Romain Fountain (Saint Romain Street). Established in 1500, it was rebuilt at its present location in 1743 by Pierre Jarry. It is supported by the wall of the Booksellers’ Portal of the Cathedral. It was restored in 1988.

The Saint-Vivien Fountain (Saint Vivien Church). From a fountain built around 1530, there are only a few traces on the northern wall of Saint-Vivien Church, next to the niche that used to lay out the newborn babies abandoned by their parents to be collected by the Church.

The Sainte-Croix-des-Pelletiers Fountain (19 rue Sainte-Croix-des-Pelletiers). Mitoyenne of the church of the same name became the Sainte-Croix-des-Pelletiers, it was built in 1634.