Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Chas Fountain, also known as the Saint-Aignan Fountain or Saint-Martin Fountain, is an emblematic monument of the French Renaissance erected in the 16th century. Located on Rue du Vieux Four, in the centre of the village of Chas in the department of Puy-de-Dôme (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), it embodies the architectural and sculptural art of its time. Its octagonal basin, its central column decorated with claws, and its mascaron-decorated basin make it a remarkable example of the fountains of this period. Ranked as historic monuments by order of 11 December 1895, it has enjoyed heritage protection for more than a century.

The structure of the fountain rests on an octagonal basin surrounding a central column, itself surmounted by a circular basin carved in shell and decorated with four mascarons. Above, an oval tank decorated with small scales and joufflus masks supports a statue of Saint-Aignan, bishop of Orleans died in 453, represented in a blessed attitude. Water, flowing through the mouths of the masks, animates the whole and emphasizes the utilitarian and symbolic function of the work. This monument illustrates the role of fountains in villages, combining water supply, urban decoration and religious reference.

The iconography of the fountain, especially the presence of the armored coat of arms bearing a lion on the reservoir, suggests a link with a noble family or a local institution, although the source text does not specify its identity. The fountain, owned by the commune of Chas, remains a testimony of the heritage reborn in Auvergne, mixing art, history and daily life. Its state of conservation and central location make it a landmark for residents and visitors, while recalling the importance of hydraulic monuments in the development of villages in modern times.

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