Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Terrail fountain is a public fountain built in 1602 in Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme. It is located in the heart of the historic city centre, on Place du Terrail, close to the cathedral. Its location corresponds to an ancient medieval crossing, once animated by a ceramic market called the terraille, which gave its name to the square and fountain.

In 1598 Étienne de la Barge proposed to finance the construction of a fountain, but the initial project was not carried out. Four years later, in 1602, the fountain was finally built, and then rebuilt in 1684. It consists of a circular basin decorated with the coat of arms of Clermont-Ferrand, surrounded by a crown of foliage and the motto of the Auvergne. The original vintage, partially erased, only shows figures 16.

The central drum of the fountain rests on a square base and ends with a half-sphere covered with scales. Four niches house statues of naked children, symbolizing the geniuses of water. Sitting on dolphins, three of them lay a foot on a snail, while the dolphins' heads, spitting water, rest on shells. These decorative elements reflect the 16th and 17th century artistic codes, combining symbolism and functionality.

The Terrail Fountain was listed as a historical monument by order of 12 February 1987. Today it belongs to the municipality of Clermont-Ferrand and constitutes an architectural and historical testimony of the town's urban planning in the modern era.

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