Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Saint-Denis fountain, located in Mauves-sur-Loire in the Loire-Atlantique department, dates from the first half of the seventeenth century. It is built above a well and constitutes an isolated vestige of the former Priory Saint Andrew, founded at the end of the eleventh century. Originally, three separate accesses served the well: two for monks from the priory (private space) and one for residents (public space). Its architecture is characterized by a square edicle opened on four sides by arches in the middle of the hanger, crowned with a doric entabment and covered with hollow tiles.

In the 18th century, the creation of Rue de la Côte Saint-Denis changed the organization of spaces, reversing public and private areas, and added a fourth access to the well. In the 19th century, the former priory was transformed into a park, and facilities (terraces, pump) were added around the fountain. A heritage study conducted in 2014-2015 revealed that the monument retained all its original elements (access, wooden margins, architectural details), leading to its restoration in 2016.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 18 June 2012, the fountain illustrates the evolution of public and private uses around a medieval water point. Its edicle, typical of 17th century classical architecture, combines functionality (water supply) and religious symbolism, linked to the history of Saint Andrew's priory. Today owned by the municipality, it remains a rare testimony of monastic hydraulic developments in the Pays de la Loire.

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