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Origin and history

The Saint-Martin fountain, located 90 rue de Rennes in Laval (Mayenne), was built in 1810 by architect Jean-Baptiste Tellot. This neoclassical monument fits into the context of urban developments under the First Empire, as evidenced by the Latin inscription on its pediment. She celebrates Napoleon I, then emperor for seven years, as well as the local officials who commissioned the book: Nicolas-François Harmand (provincial administrator), Jérôme-Charles Frin de Cormeré (mayor), and Étienne Boudet (his predecessor).

The fountain is distinguished by its arched niche in cul-de-four, framed by model pilasters and surmounted by a triangular pediment. Its Latin inscription, engraved in 1810, details the names and titles of the dignitaries involved, emphasizing its civic and imperial character. The building, owned by the commune of Laval, was listed as a historical monument by order of 5 April 1930, thereby recognizing its heritage value.

The architecture of the fountain reflects the aesthetic codes of the time: symmetry, ancient references, and utility function. Its location on a major axis of the city (Rue de Rennes) made it a central water point for the inhabitants, while serving as a symbol of imperial power. Today, it remains a material testimony of the policies of urban beautification carried out under Napoleon I, combining public utility and political propaganda.

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