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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The eight Remiremont fountains, located in the Vosges department in the Grand Est region, constitute a major 19th century architectural and historical complex. They were built between 1828 and 1829 under the impetus of Marie Stanislas Hector Bresson, then mayor of the city, as part of a major project to modernize the water supply network. These fountains, both utilitarian and decorative, marked a significant step forward in terms of public hygiene and urban beautification, as evidenced by the 19th century traveler stories highlighting the remarkable cleanliness of the streets.

Most of these fountains, in sandstone or cast iron, were designed by local foundries, such as the Stehelin brothers in Bitschwiller for the Dauphin fountain. They were inaugurated by personalities of the time, such as Marie-Thérèse, Duchess of Angoulême, daughter of Louis XVI, who presided over the ceremony of the fountain of the Dauphins in 1828. Their style, often decorated with animal motifs (dolphins, swans) or mythological figures, reflects the artistic influences of the 19th century, mixing classicism and romanticism.

Over the decades, some fountains underwent transformations, such as that of rue de la Xavée, damaged during the Second World War and moved in 1987, or the garden of the Olives, whose original statue, melted under the Vichy regime, was replaced by a putto. These changes illustrate historical hazards and successive urban adaptations. Today, these eight fountains, which have been listed as historic monuments since 1996, are highlighted by a "Tour of Fountains" proposed by the Tourist Office, highlighting their heritage and tourist role.

Their preservation is part of a broader policy of valuing Remiremont's water heritage, supplemented in the 20th century by contemporary developments such as the water jets of the 1990s. These fountains, symbols of local identity, recall the importance of water in urban history and the craftsmanship of the Vosges in the 19th century.

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