Imagine, France herself majestically seated on a chariot. That is the Fontaine Bartholdi. Here at Place des Terreaux, we find a story of artistic ambition and civic pride. The Fontaine Bartholdi is more than just a fountain. It is a symbol of Lyon.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor behind the Statue of Liberty, created this masterpiece. The Fontaine Bartholdi was completed in 1888. Initially, Bordeaux commissioned it for their Place Quinconces. Bartholdi won the competition in 1857 at the young age of 23.
However, Bordeaux deemed the project too expensive after Bartholdi completed the Statue of Liberty in 1886. Lyon then acquired the fountain after it was showcased at the Exposition Universelle in 1889. The Fontaine Bartholdi was erected here in September 1892. It has been a fixture of Place des Terreaux ever since.
The Fontaine Bartholdi depicts France as a female figure, Marianne. She confidently controls four horses. These horses represent France’s four great rivers: the Seine, the Loire, the Rhône, and the Garonne. Each horse is unique. They are symmetrically arranged. Water weed bridles adorn them.
This impressive fountain weighs 21 tons. It is made of lead supported by an iron frame. The Fontaine Bartholdi made its debut at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. Since September 29, 1995, it has been classified as a monument historique.
In 2015, the Fontaine Bartholdi was temporarily removed for restoration. The structure suffered from rust. The lead statue was warped and fractured. The restoration cost 3.58 million euros. The state contributed one million euros.
In June 2016, the statue was transported to the Fonderie Coubertin near Paris. Artisans meticulously cleaned and reshaped the damaged lead. They restored the patina to Amphitrite. They also restored the horses, cherubs, and chariot decorations. It took over a year to complete this rejuvenation.
The restored Fontaine Bartholdi was returned to Place des Terreaux on October 3, 2017. The water was turned back on in the spring of 2018, on March 22. The restoration also included the basin’s stones and the lighting system. A misting and fiber optics device was installed. This recreated the “smoking nostrils” of the horses, an effect Bartholdi never fully achieved himself.
Didier Repellin, who oversaw the restoration, noted that “Rodin brought life to bronze; Bartholdi brought life to lead.” Bartholdi’s use of hammered lead was a rare and challenging technique. The restored Fontaine Bartholdi allows visitors to fully appreciate its realism and dynamism.
The Fontaine Bartholdi stands nine meters across. It is 4.85 meters high. It has a 15-meter diameter. Its lead skin is extremely thin, between one and four millimeters thick.
So, as you gaze upon the Fontaine Bartholdi, remember its journey. From Bordeaux’s initial commission to its celebrated presence in Lyon, this fountain embodies artistic vision and civic pride. It is a testament to Lyon’s rich cultural heritage. It also highlights France’s artistic legacy.