(La Fontaine des Neuf-Canons)

Located midway along the Cours Mirabeau, the Fontaine des Neuf-Canons is one of the oldest and most emblematic fountains in Aix-en-Provence. Blending history, legend, and natural beauty, it perfectly illustrates the city’s deep and enduring relationship with water, which has flowed here for more than three centuries.

A 17th-Century Fountain Steeped in History

Erected in 1691 by sculptor Jean-Claude Rambot, the Fontaine des Neuf-Canons replaced a simple water post once used to water flocks of sheep coming from Arles. At that time, the Cours Mirabeau was still a broad tree-lined promenade, serving both as a place for strolling and for commercial exchange.

The fountain takes its name from its nine water spouts, or “canons,” from which the water flows. These nine jets symbolize the generosity of the spring and the vital importance of water in the daily life of the people of Aix.

A Lively Provençal Baroque Style

The Fontaine des Neuf-Canons is characteristic of late 17th-century Provençal Baroque style. It consists of a basin with two rounded sides bordered by a stone rim, at the center of which rises a solid mass. Over time, green moss and aquatic plants have covered the stone, giving the fountain an almost natural appearance—as if it had always been part of the landscape, with any sculpted details now hidden beneath this vegetal mantle.

At the time of our visit, the fountain was not in operation.

A Living Place Through the Centuries

In the past, the Fontaine des Neuf-Canons served an essential practical function, providing water for livestock and local residents. Today, it is primarily a place for meeting and strolling, set in the heart of one of the most beautiful boulevards in France.

An Emblematic Fountain of Aix-en-Provence

It is easy to understand why Aix is often called the “city of a thousand fountains”: each one tells a story, and the Fontaine des Neuf-Canons is among the oldest and most endearing.

Other fountains on the cours Mirabeau includes: Fontaine de la Rotonde, Fontaine Moussue, Fontaine du Roi René