Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Project Fountain, located in Place Saint-Project in Bordeaux, dates from 1715 and is the work of sculptor Michiel van der Voort, from the Netherlands. It is integrated into the south wall of the square and is distinguished by its three taps distributing drinking water. The decorative elements include the three interlocking crescents (Bordeaux emblem), flowers, fruits, scallops, as well as statues depicting the Pouge and Devèze rivers, symbolizing the confluence where the city was founded. Maritime trophies (shiphead, rudder, trident) also adorn the structure, highlighting the historical link of Bordeaux with navigation.

The fountain derives its name from Saint Projet (or Saint Priest), a 7th century bishop auvergnat (625–674), venerated in Aquitaine. The red marble cartridge bears golden inscriptions, while the whole is classified as a historic monument since 1908. This monument illustrates both the Baroque art of the eighteenth century and the importance of water in Bordeaux urban planning, mixing practical function and local symbolism.

Ranked among the historic monuments of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Saint-Project Fountain remains a major artistic and historical testimony of Bordeaux. Its protection in 1908 reflects its heritage value, while its location on an axis frequented as St. Catherine Street makes it a landmark in the city centre. References to rivers and navigation recall the central role of river trade in the economic development of the region.

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