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Origin and history

La Fountain Saint-Candé is a historic fountain located in Rouen, Seine-Maritime department, Normandy. Built in 1709, as indicated by the date on its pediment, it was erected against the wall of the cemetery of the parish church of Saint Cande-le-Jeune. Its initial objective was to provide water to the inhabitants of the city, an essential resource at the time. It is powered by the Gaalor source, which guaranteed continuous flow.

The fountain is the work of architect Nicolas Le Carpentier and was inaugurated on 31 August 1709. It consists of a curved pediment surmounted by a vase and two dolphins, today in poor condition. In the eardrum, a restored shield is surrounded by two twigs, above a black marble plate with a detailed inscription. The plaque mentions the reign of Louis XIV, the names of the local publishers of the period, and the master builder, Nicolas Innocent Le Carpentier.

Ranked as historical monuments since 17 February 1939, the fountain was restored in 1924 by Alphonse Guilloux and Rose. It is located at 24 rue aux Bears, a central place in the Rouen heritage. Its inscription as a historical monument underlines its architectural importance and its role in the urban history of Rouen.

Originally, this fountain met a practical need: drinking water for the inhabitants. Unlike today, where it is mostly a decorative element, it was once a vital water point. Its location near the church of Saint Cande le Jeune also reflects the spatial organization of cities in the 18th century, where places of worship and water points were often associated.

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