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Origin and history

The fountain of the Place du Maréchal-Lyautey, located in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon, was erected in 1865 on the orders of the inhabitants and the city. It commemorates Napoleon III's suppression of tolls on the bridges of the Rhône. Designed by architect Antoine Desjardins, it includes sculptures by Guillaume Bonnet and Clauses, including a marble sommital statue of Carrare representing La Ville de Lyon, inspired by the sculptor's wife.

The monument consists of a large basin topped by five basins, symbolizing the five Lyon arrondissements of the time. Five lion mascarons spit water jets at these basins, while angled putti embody themes dear to the city: Navigation, Industry, Trade, History and Geography. The fountain, which has been listed as historical monuments since 1975, stands in the direction of Franklin-Roosevelt, formerly aligned with the Morand Bridge.

The work reflects the academic canons of the 19th century, with an allegory draped with Roman and crowned with a wall, highlighting the municipal prestige. Guillaume Bonnet, author of the main statue, and Clauses, sculptor of the putti, collaborated under the direction of Desjardins to create this symbol of gratitude to the emperor. The fountain remains a testimony of Lyon urban planning and its sculptural heritage.

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