Fountains of Clermont

This walk starts at the Maison de la Culture tram stop on Boulevard François Mitterrand.

(S/E) At the tram stop, stand on the side of the boulevard opposite the Comédie Scène Nationale theatre and head towards Les Salins (west), passing France Bleue and the Librairie des Volcans bookshop. At the crossroads, continue right along Boulevard Charles de Gaulle, passing the former Hôtel-Dieu hospital (currently being redeveloped).

At the next crossroads, cross Boulevard Charles de Gaulle and turn left onto Rue Lagarlaye. Turn right onto the first street, Rue Barrière de Jaude, then shortly afterwards turn left onto the inconspicuous Rue Giscard de la Tour Fondue between the supermarket and the Jaude shopping centre.

This will take you to Rue Bonnabaud. Follow this street to the right and then, at the crossroads, turn left onto Avenue Julien. At the end of the avenue, you will find the monumental fountain known as "La Cathédrale des Eaux" (The Water Cathedral).

(1) Cross Avenue Julien and follow Rue Morel-Ladeuil opposite. You will arrive at the crossroads with Rue Blatin. Continue straight ahead, then turn left onto Avenue Franklin Roosevelt. At the end of the avenue, turn right into Square Amadéo. You will immediately notice the small Fontaine à Tête de Mouton fountain on your left. Walk through the square to find a small square pond with a water jet. Continue straight ahead to exit the square onto Rue Antoine Menat, and follow this street to the right, passing in front of the Lycée Amédée Gasquet. Further on, cross Rue Gabriel Péri.

(2) At the end of the car park, turn right onto Rue des Quatre Passeports. In the bend, turn left, still on Rue des Quatre Passeports. At Place du Champgil, take the second street on the right, Rue Ribeyre Jaffeux, then turn left onto Rue Saint-Dominique and right onto Rue Sainte-Madeleine. When you reach Rue Lamartine, follow it to the right before turning left onto Rue Michel Hugues.

Follow Rue Blatin to the left for about 50 metres, cross at the first pedestrian crossing, and continue straight ahead into the Grand Passage. Exit onto Rue du Maréchal Foch and continue to the left. Turn right onto Rue Ernest Renan, which leads to one of the entrances to the Jaude shopping centre, and turn left onto Avenue Julien to reach Place de Jaude.

(3) Note the large fountain on the right, head towards the other side of the square and then to the left, along the small fountains on the ground. Roughly in the middle of the square, you can see a dry fountain in the courtyard of the building at No. 18, on the other side of the square (on the left, as indicated by the route). Continue along six quadrangular pools to reach the Wallace Fountain at the north end of the square. Continue opposite Rue du 11 Novembre, turn right onto Rue des Gras, then right again and continue straight on Rue du Cheval Blanc.

Follow Rue de la Préfecture to the left, then turn left onto Rue des Petits Gras. Ignore Rue Prévote on the right, then shortly afterwards, turn right into the courtyard of the restaurant "Le Bœuf Café" to find a small fountain (out of water) with an ox's head.

Continue straight ahead on Rue des Petits Gras to discover the Fontaine des Lions on the right-hand side of the street. Turn right immediately afterwards onto Rue des Chaussetiers. Turn left onto the first street to return to Rue des Gras, and go down it on the left. At the bottom, continue straight ahead to cross the tram line, and follow Rue Saint-Dominique opposite.

(4) Turn right onto Rue de l'Ange, then left onto Rue des Vieillards. Then turn right onto Rue Sainte-Rose and arrive at the Chapelle Saint-Adjutor, which is part of the Cité Judiciaire buildings. Walk back and forth to the left to the curious fountain-lamppost of the Ancien Hôpital Général. Return to Rue Sainte-Rose and follow it to the left to reach Place Gilbert Gaillard.

Cross the tram line, head east and turn right onto Rue Saint-Pierre to reach the square of the same name where the market halls are located. Turn left and follow Rue des Deux Marchés opposite. Take the first alley on the left to reach Rue Saint-Herem. Cross and walk a few metres to the left until you reach the corner with Rue Moinier.

(5) Enter Square Blaise-Pascal on the right. Walk past the statue of the philosopher to reach the square's beautiful fountain, then turn right and take the steps up Rue Saint-Herem. Continue straight ahead on Rue Boirot to reach Place du Mazet, with its simple fountain reminiscent of a country drinking trough. Continue straight ahead on Rue Verdier Latour, pass in front of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Cathedral, then turn left up Place de la Victoire. In its centre stands the monumental statue-fountain of Pope Urban II.

(6) Return towards the cathedral, turn right at a green metal standpipe, turn left onto Rue des Grands Jour, then at the chevet of the cathedral, turn right onto Rue Fléchier to discover two fountains (one of which is dry) in courtyards flanking an information panel. Continue along the street that leads to Rue du Terrail, and follow this street to the left until you reach Place du Terrail and its fountain.

Turn left onto Rue Blaise Pascal. When you reach the intersection with Rue Thomas on the left, continue along Rue Blaise Pascal for a round trip to No. 19 on the left side of the street. Through the gates of the beautiful wrought-iron door, which is unfortunately impassable, you can see the beautiful fountain in this private courtyard. Return to the intersection with Rue Thomas and follow it to the right.

After the first right-hand bend, you will see a dry fountain in the communal garden of a small building at No. 9 (please respect private property). At the end of the street, you will reach Place Philippe Marcombes. Turn right to pass in front of the Town Hall and its two twin fountains. At the corner of the Town Hall, at the crossroads, go straight ahead towards the square opposite to discover the beautiful Fontaine d'Amboise fountain.

Return to the corner of the Town Hall and walk along the building on your left, then turn slightly left onto Rue du Port. Further on, turn left onto Rue Barrier and note the small Fontaine à la Coquille fountain on your left. Turn right onto Rue des Aimés to reach Place Notre-Dame-du-Port. Turn right to return to Rue du Port and follow it to the left.

(7) Pass in front of the entrance to the basilica courtyard (a visit is highly recommended, especially as an electric fountain has been installed inside) and shortly afterwards, in front of the Pilgrims' Fountain on the left (Notre-Dame-du-Port is a stop on the Way of St James). You will arrive at Place Delille, where a monumental fountain stands. Then head south of the square and turn right onto Rue Neyron.

Pass Place Neyron and turn left onto Rue Villeneuve. Shortly afterwards, turn left onto Rue Denis Papin to find a modern waterfall fountain on the right. Follow Rue des Archers to the right to reach Boulevard de Trudaine at the Fontaine de la Flêche.

Follow the boulevard to the left and then cross it. When you reach Place Delille, turn right towards the Monument aux Morts, then cross Avenue de Grande-Bretagne and walk past the former Post Office and Savings Bank.

(8) Turn right onto Avenue Charras. Cross Avenue d'Italie and continue straight ahead on Avenue Charras, then turn left at the fork onto Rue Jeanne d'Arc to pass in front of the Church of Saint Joseph.

You will come to Avenue de l'Union Soviétique. Turn right and follow this road, passing in front of the station. Pass Avenue Albert et Élisabeth on your left, then Rue de Riom. Cross Avenue de l'Union Soviétique and turn right into Square Jeune Résistance.

(9) Walk around the fountain basin at the station, then leave the square and cross the Esplanade de la Gare opposite the beautiful École Jeanne d'Arc. Turn right onto Avenue de Grande-Bretagne. Shortly afterwards, turn left onto Rue Delarbre and continue straight ahead to Boulevard Trudaine. Go straight ahead to Place Michel de l'Hospital in the direction of the road signs for "Jaude; Maison du Tourisme; Poste Centrale" then take the first street on the right to pass to the right of Square Michel de l'Hospital. At the corner of the square, a few metres to the left of the crossroads, you will see the Fontaine des Cercles fountain.

(10) Continue straight ahead on Rue Grégoire de Tours. Pass Rue Abbé Girard on your left and Rue Savaron on your right, continue straight on Rue Massillon and arrive at Place Royale with its pretty fountain sculpted with cherubs. Continue straight on, passing the old Cordeliers chapel on your right, and arrive at the corner of the Prefecture (sign for "Place Sugny" on its gable).

(11) Turn left to pass in front of the entrance, then immediately take the pedestrian crossing to cross Boulevard Desaix. Turn left onto Rue de la Tour d'Auvergne, which slopes down slightly, running alongside Square d'Assas. Enter the square on the left to find the "Le Roi des Eaux" fountain in a stone niche. Continue straight ahead to exit the square onto Rue d'Assas, then turn left to reach Boulevard Desaix.

Turn right and continue straight ahead at the crossroads, Rue Georges Clemenceau. At the end of the street, opposite the painted wall of the former Hôtel-Dieu, you will find the Fontaine de l'Hôtel-Dieu fountain. Cross Rue Lagarlaye and follow it to the left until you reach the roundabout with the monumental Fontaine Desaix fountain. Go around the roundabout on the right to arrive in front of one of the entrances to Jardin Lecoq.

(12) Enter the garden, at the fork follow the left-hand path then turn right with the path. At the intersection of paths, notice the beautiful white marble fountain "Byblis pleure" on the right. Continue to the left to pass in front of the bust of Henri Lecoq, then cross the footbridge. At the next intersection, turn right towards a small square with benches, next to the pond under the footbridge.

Continue south, ignoring the path that leads up to the playground, to reach the fountain "Dans la mémoire des crapauds" (In memory of the toads). Continue towards the large water feature and walk down to the edge of the pond. Turn right, go under a footbridge and continue along the edge of the pond towards the small hut to find the Fontaine du Génie des Eaux (Water Spirit Fountain) right next to it.

Go up on the right and continue straight ahead to find a Nu au Bain (Bathing Nude) below on the right. Turn left towards the Rectorate buildings and the technical service premises to go around a playground on the right and arrive at the Théâtre de Verdure/rose garden around the Bassin du Triton. Cross the rose garden and go straight ahead until you find one of the garden gates on the right.

Exit to cross Avenue Vercingétorix and continue straight ahead on Boulevard François Mitterrand until you reach the Maison de la Culture tram stop (S/E).

It is best to do this walk on a weekday because, unlike some more touristy cities, everything is closed on Sundays in Clermont-Ferrand, including public toilets!

Almost all of Clermont-Ferrand's fountains are supplied with drinking water.

Discover more walks in this area – with descriptions or via the Visorando app – here, and more generally in the Puy-de-Dôme here

A few photos here

When walking through the streets, always remember to look up: the architecture of the houses and buildings varies greatly in style and era, and there are often lovely discoveries to be made, even outside the historic centre.

The focus of this walk is the many fountains that adorn the city, serving functional, commemorative or decorative purposes. Water supply has been a recurring issue throughout Clermont’s history. Situated on the site of an ancient crater, the city actually has relatively few springs and, since ancient times, has had to solve its water supply problems by building numerous fountains.

The Amboise Fountain is one of the most intricately crafted, blending medieval art with the Renaissance style. Other, less monumental fountains adorn the narrow streets and gardens, serving a purely decorative purpose. One such example is ‘Byblis Weeps’, made of white marble, in the Lecoq Gardens.

Other fountains, meanwhile, serve a functional purpose. Several were used to supply the town with water from the late Middle Ages onwards. As you wander through the cobbled streets of the old town, you’ll come across neighbourhood fountains, such as the one in Terrail or the Coquille Fountain on Rue Barnier.

You’ll also come across water jets and other water features of a more modern design.

Between (S) and (1), the ‘Cathédrale des Eaux’ is a fountain by Jean Chauchard and stood in Place de Jaude until 2004.

As well as the fountains: as you come out onto Rue Bonnabaud, take a moment to admire the pretty façade of “Chez Mapie” on the other side of the street. On Avenue Julien, there are some interesting architectural features, particularly at nos. 36 and 42, and, almost at the end of the avenue, a beautiful bas-relief on the balcony of a small building on the left, at no. 39.
Chapel in Square Aimé-Coulaudon.
Near the fountain (1), look out for the very pretty façade of a house on the other side of the roundabout, at No. 59 Boulevard Pasteur.

Between (1) and (2) In Amadéo Square, a fountain with a sheep’s head and a basin.

In addition to the fountains: at the junction of Rue Morel-Ladeuil and Rue Blatin: in the square on the right, note a monument in honour of Aloys Claussmann, and on the other side of the junction, at No. 60 Avenue Blatin, a superb house built of brick and Volvic stone, as well as the two neighbouring houses.
Amadéo Square. A basilica dedicated to Saint Andrew once stood on this site in the 6th century. A blend of several architectural styles, Amadéo Square is home to the only chestnut tree in Clermont-Ferrand.

Between (2) and (3) At the start of Rue des Quatre Passeports, on the left, note the small façade of the synagogue.
After crossing Rue Blatin, and before turning into the Grand Passage, take a moment to admire the beautiful building on the corner of Rue Blatin and Rue Michel Hugues.

Between (3) and (4) The fountains on Place de Jaude are among Clermont’s contemporary fountains: a large basin with a water jet on the south side; a linear series of water jets rising directly from the ground along the east side of the square (varying in intensity and frequency, they bring the square to life and evoke the eruptions of the Auvergne’s volcanoes); and, extending northwards from this, a series of six large quadrangular basins. These fountains are only in operation during the warmer months. The basins on the northern side are then surrounded by a garden.
Dried-up fountains in a private courtyard at No. 18 Place de Jaude.

Wallace Fountain. This fountain was designed by the British architect Charles Wallace after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Dozens of fountains of the same design were installed in Paris and throughout the provinces. Four graces flank a jet of water that flows between them. Originally, two cups were attached to the fountain, allowing anyone to drink from it.
The Bœuf Café Fountain (private); the Fountain of the Lions (or Fountain of the Petits Gras).

In addition to the fountains: Along Place de Jaude, there are two beautiful buildings on the right: the Galeries de Jaude and the theatre.

At the start of Rue du 11 Novembre, there is the beautiful façade of Le Trianon patisserie.
On Rue des Chaussetiers, look up to discover some very beautiful façades, and do take a look at Impasse des Chaussetiers if you like murals.
There are beautiful buildings and numerous shops on Rue des Gras, in particular a lovely blue façade, and the Hôtel de Fontfreyde (photography exhibitions, with a view of the courtyard from the Petite Rue Saint-Pierre which runs alongside it).

Between (4) and (5): the fountain-streetlamp at the former Hôpital Général.

As well as the fountains: Rue Sainte-Rose, a lovely North African restaurant façade followed by the stylish façade of the Artyster.
Place Saint-Pierre, the market halls.

Between (5) and (6) The fountain in Square Blaise-Pascal; the fountain in Place du Mazet.
The Pope Urban II Fountain (Place de la Victoire): it was erected in the 19th century to mark the 800th anniversary of Pope Urban II’s sermon calling for the First Crusade; his bronze statue overlooking the Volvic stone basin stands in Place de la Victoire. The original plan was ambitious. Other statues were to be installed, but due to a lack of funding, the construction of the fountain was limited to the single statue of Urban II, pointing towards the Holy Land with his hand.

In addition to the fountains: a statue of Blaise Pascal in the square of the same name, and Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral.

Between (6) and (7): a drinking fountain (Place de la Victoire); two fountains in private courtyards (Rue Fléchier).
The fountain on Place du Terrail: built in the 16th century, this public fountain is one of the oldest in the city. It provided the inhabitants with a supply of water. Like several other fountains in the city, its water is still drinkable today.
Another fountain in a private courtyard (not accessible but visible from Rue Blaise Pascal); A dry fountain in a block of flats’ garden (Rue Thomas); The twin fountains at the Town Hall.
The Amboise Fountain: dating from 1515, it has been moved several times. It is built of Volvic stone, like many buildings in Clermont-Ferrand. The water route is complex, with several jets criss-crossing one another—some rising, whilst others fall—into two circular basins.
The Coquille Fountain (Rue Barrier); the electric fountain inside the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port; the Pilgrims’ Fountain (Rue du Port).

In addition to the fountains: the courtyard ofthe Hôtel de Chazerat (Rue Blaise Pascal). The courtyard ofthe Town Hall.
Rue du Port: take note of the beautiful carriage entrances, then a visit to the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port – one of the finest Romanesque churches in the region – is a must.

Between (7) and (8) the fountain on Place Delille: this is the city’s largest fountain and the one with the highest water flow. Unlike many others, it is not made of Volvic stone but of light-coloured stone.
Waterfall Fountain (Rue Denis Papin).
Fontaine de la Flêche (or Fontaine des Archers, Boulevard de Trudaine): this fountain, which dates from the 18th century and was situated near the Porte Laurent in Clermont’s city walls, owes its name to the guild of the Chevaliers de la Flèche, which had its headquarters nearby, in the Cour des Archers.

As well as the fountains: on Boulevard Trudaine, on the right, there are some fine façades, including that of the Ferry School Complex and those of the neighbouring buildings.

Between (8) and (9) lies the Gare Fountain and Basin (Square Jeune Résistance), a modern and luminous structure.

In addition to the fountains: the former Post Office and Telecommunications building/Caisse d’Épargne near the monumental War Memorial on Place Delille. Beautiful and/or unusual architecture on Avenue Cherras and then Rue Jeanne d’Arc.
At the junction of Avenue Charras and Avenue de Maringues, on the right, a beautiful façade above ‘Service 63’, and another further to the right as you look down this street, and further still, the Saint-Joseph market.
At the junction of Avenue Charras and Avenue d’Italie, at No. 21, there is a lovely mural.

Between (9) and (10) Stunning buildings of the Lycée Jeanne-d’Arc, opposite Square Jeune Résistance.

(10) Fontaine des Cercles (on the corner of Square Michel de l’Hospital): there are no circles on this fountain. The name comes from the fact that tanners used to work on this square, cleaning hides at this fountain, as well as coopers who would dip their red-hot metal hoops into the water to cool them down. This fountain is not built against the wall but recessed into it. The inscription ‘L.X.I.’ between the two lion’s muzzles remains a mystery. Fountain on Place Royale.

In addition to the fountains: On the other side of Square Michel de l’Hospital, the building known as ‘La Jetée’ houses the European Short Film Centre. A beautiful wrought-iron gate stands at the junction of Rue Grégoire de Tours and Rue Abbé Girard.

Between (10) and (11) Fountain on Place Royale (or Saint-Genès Fountain).

As well as the fountains: Place Royale, right next to the fountain, the confectioner’s shop has a very beautiful façade; it used to be a chemist’s.

Between (11) and (12) ‘Le Roi des Eaux’ Fountain (Square d’Assas): the grotto in which Neptune sits enthroned, towering over two tritons, is artificial. It was built specifically to house the sculpture. Dating from the 19th century, this fountain serves a purely decorative purpose, situated at the far end of Square d’Assas, below the prefecture. The gentle lapping of the water flowing from the mouths of the two fantastical creatures creates a peaceful atmosphere. The Baroque style of the statue is reminiscent of the art of Michelangelo.
Hôtel-Dieu Fountain (Clemenceau/Lagarlaye junction).

(12) Desaix Fountain (Desaix Roundabout): this “pyramid”, as some call it here, was built in the very early 19th century in honour of Louis-Charles-Antoine Desaix, one of Napoleon’s generals who died at the Battle of Marengo at the age of 31.

Between (12) and (E) In the Jardin Lecoq: The ‘Weeping Byblis’ Fountain: created by Jean Camus in 1905, this sculpture tells the tragic story of King Minos’s young daughter, who harboured a forbidden love for her brother. Rejected by her family, she has since hidden her face whilst weeping endlessly.
‘Fountain in Memory of the Toads ’; water feature with a jet; ‘Nude in the Bath’ basin (sculpture by Jean-Paul Lesbre); Triton fountain (rose garden).

In addition to the fountains: in the Lecoq Garden, there are some fine trees, including some remarkable red beeches, and the rose garden.

Just north of the Lecoq Garden, the Bargoin Museum (archaeology, textiles) and the Henri-Lecoq Museum (natural history). Note: there is a fountain and a pond in the garden of the Lecoq Museum.

Finally, throughout the route, do feel free to explore the courtyards of buildings that are open to the public. You might well discover other fountains there. Do let me know!