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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Three Cross Fountain, also known as the Puits-Rocher Fountain, is an emblematic building of the city of Laval, in the department of Mayenne. Its first mention dates back to 1516, but its present granite structure dates from the 18th century. Originally, it was at the corner of the streets of Paradise and Hameau, before being moved in 1936 to its current location, the Jardin de la Perrine. This trip was probably aimed at preserving this heritage while integrating into a central green space of the city.

The fountain is distinguished by its architecture, where the mouth and pelvis are sheltered under a half-cooked trunk, a technical and aesthetic feature. It was listed as historic monuments on December 2, 1929, recognizing its heritage value. This status not only protects its physical structure, but also its historical role in the urban landscape of Laval, where public fountains played a crucial role in water supply and community life.

Prior to its movement, the fountain was a gathering and supply point for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, reflecting the importance of fountains in pre-industrial cities. In the 18th century, Laval, like many French cities, knew a social organization where access to drinking water was a major issue. Public fountains, often adorned and located at strategic crossroads, also served as places for sociability and the transmission of local information.

The transfer of the fountain to the Jardin de la Perrine in 1936 marks an evolution in the perception of heritage: from a utilitarian object, it becomes a decorative and memorial element. This garden, a major green space in Laval, has since provided a suitable setting for the presentation of this monument, while allowing visitors to discover a part of the city's urban history. The Three Cross Fountain thus embodies both the architectural heritage of the eighteenth century and the urban transformations of the twentieth century.

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