Located at the center of the famous Cours Mirabeau, the Fontaine Moussue is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive and beloved fountains in Aix-en-Provence. Built around 1666–1667 by architect Jacques Fossé, it was the first fountain constructed on the Cours, affirming from the very beginning the importance of water in Aix’s daily life.

Over time, the fountain lost its original sculptural ornaments and was remodeled in 1734, taking on the form we see today. It then continued to evolve naturally, acquiring a unique character: a rounded silhouette entirely covered with moss and limestone deposits, making it a true natural sculpture and an emblematic feature of the Aix landscape.

A Fountain Born of Thermal Water

The distinctive feature of the Fontaine Moussue lies in the warm thermal water that feeds it, flowing at approximately 18°C (64°F) year-round. This non-potable water comes from the Thermes des Bagniers and was diverted to the fountain at the end of the 17th century, replacing the supply from Rue des Chaudronniers.

For a long time, this source was a small treasure for local residents: in winter, it provided pleasantly warm water for washing laundry or cleaning doorsteps, despite official prohibitions by the city consuls. People would come to draw a few buckets, taking advantage of this natural warmth in the heart of the city.

Even today, this thermal water continues to flow, giving the fountain a symbolic role in the hydraulic history of Aix-en-Provence.

From Stone to Moss: A Natural Metamorphosis

Originally, the fountain was adorned with a sculpted triton, quickly replaced in 1669 by four children supporting a basin from which the water flowed. These figures, created by Jacques Fossé, gradually disappeared beneath limestone deposits and growing vegetation.

The constant flow of warm water encouraged, over the centuries, the development of a thick mineral coating. Transformed by time and nature, the fountain now appears almost self-created—a living form, a “green sponge” that breathes with the seasons and blends harmoniously into the setting of the Cours Mirabeau.

Other nearby fountains: Fontaine des neufs-canons, Fontaine du Roi René, Fontaine de la rotonde