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Origin and history

The Fountain of the Unicorns of Montpellier was erected in honour of the Marquis de Castries, winner of the Battle of Clostercamp in 1760, where he challenged the Prince of Brunswick. This monument, designed by architect Jacques Donnat in 1773, was carved by Étienne Dantoine. It was initially installed in the Place des Etats de Languedoc (now Jean Jaurès Square), in front of the former town hall, before being moved in 1863 to the Place de la Canourgue, where the town hall is now located.

The fountain, inaugurated on May 21, 1776, represents a marble group composed of two unicorns: one lying, the other erect, with a child holding a basin. The base carries bas-reliefs evoking the battle of Clostercamp and mascarons spitting water. This monument was part of a set of three fountains commissioned in 1770 by the City Council, designed to embellish the public square.

In 1865, the fountain was detached from its original architectural setting and relocated to the end of the Place de la Canourgue. It was classified by order of 5 August 1963. Its baroque style and allegorical sculptures make it a remarkable example of 18th-century public art in Languedoc.

Architectural details, such as the aileron consoles and the rectangular basin, highlight the technical ingenuity of the time. The fountain also illustrates the role of memorials in glorifying military victories under the Old Regime, while serving as a utility for the city's water supply.

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