What is the Place de la Rotonde?
The square itself (officially Place du Général-de-Gaulle, but everyone says la Rotonde) was laid out between 1840 and 1850, a 100-meter-wide urban hinge linking old Aix to expanding boulevards. A decade later, in 1860, the monumental Fontaine de la Rotonde rose in its center, designed by engineers Théophile de Tournadre and Sylvestre. Height: 12 m. Diameter: 32 m. Translation: “wow.” (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Why was it built?
Aix has been a water city since Roman times; mid-19th-century leaders wanted a modern, theatrical gateway that said, “Bienvenue, we do infrastructure and drama.” The Rotonde crowned new road axes and symbolized a flourishing, forward-looking town. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Meet the statues (they’re pointing on purpose)
Up top stand three female figures—each facing a direction that tells a story:
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Justice looks toward Cours Mirabeau and the Palais de Justice.
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Commerce & Agriculture look toward Marseille, nodding to trade between the cities.
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Fine Arts faces Avignon, evoking higher learning and culture.
They’re by Ramus, Ferrat, and Chabaud, respectively—local 19th-century heavyweights. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Look closer at the basins: lions, dolphins, swans, sirens, and children tumble around the edges. The animal groups were crafted by Truphème (a detail even many locals miss). (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Water, water everywhere (from three canals)
The Rotonde has sipped from three sources over time:
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Canal Zola (1854) for early flow,
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Canal du Verdon (1875) for daily full jets,
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Canal de Provence today.
Think of it as Aix’s evolving plumbing résumé. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Five little-known facts to surprise your friends
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First cast-iron basin in Aix. The Rotonde was the city’s trailblazer for a cast-iron bowl—big deal tech in 1860.
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Not just pretty—it's a traffic star. Urbanists call it an “étoile routière,” a literal star where major roads radiate—those statue directions aren’t random choreography. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
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The square has a stage name. On maps it’s Place du Général-de-Gaulle; in everyday speech it’s simply la Rotonde. Knowing both makes you sound instantly more local. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
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It once froze over. Rare, but winter photos exist of the fountain iced in white, which is both beautiful and a strong argument for a second scarf. (Wikipedia)
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Three artists, one chorus. The crowning trio were sculpted by three different sculptors—Ramus, Ferrat, Chabaud—yet read as a unified ensemble from street level. That’s 19th-century teamwork. (Wikipedia)
Practical visit tips
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Best light: Early morning (fewer buses, warmer stone) or blue hour when the jets are lit—night illumination is part of the show. (Martigues Tourist Office)
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Where to stand: Center islands have short bollards—mind the chains—great for wide shots of the upper basin and lion groups.
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Context walk: Start at the Rotonde, stroll up Cours Mirabeau, then weave into the old town markets—Aix’s classic intro loop. (French Moments)
One-minute history recap (for your tour-guide moment)
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1777: (Earlier urban opening of the round space near the Cours.)
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1840–1850: Modern Place de la Rotonde created, 100 m across.
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1860: Fountain erected—engineers Tournadre & Sylvestre; sculptors Ramus, Ferrat, Chabaud; animal groups by Truphème.
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1854 → 1875 → today: Zola → Verdon → Provence water sources. (French Moments)
Language corner (A1 → Advanced): try this at the fountain
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A1: Point & say: C’est la Rotonde. Elle est grande et belle. Je vois les lions et l’eau.
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A2: Les trois statues représentent la Justice, l’Agriculture et les Beaux-Arts. Elles regardent vers le Cours, Marseille et Avignon.
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B1: Construite en 1860, la Rotonde symbolise l’essor d’Aix au XIXe siècle. On remarque les bassins en fonte et la richesse du décor animalier.
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B2: Alimentée successivement par les canaux de Zola, du Verdon puis de Provence, elle illustre l’évolution des réseaux hydrauliques locaux.
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Advanced: Debate prompt: La Rotonde est-elle davantage un objet d’urbanisme qu’une œuvre d’art? Appuyez votre réponse avec l’orientation des statues et la notion d’« étoile routière ».
Sources (a short, curated list)
City of Aix: official page with dates, engineers, sculptors, Truphème, and canal history. (Mairie d'Aix-en-Provence)
Tourist office overview (cast-iron basin, dimensions).
Orientation & symbolism toward Cours/Marseille/Avignon. (Martigues Tourist Office)
Historical context of the Cours and square as the “noble entry.” (French Moments)
Your turn 👇
What’s your favorite Rotonde memory—first sight after the airport bus, Christmas lights, or dodging twelve lanes of scooters? Add a comment with your level (A1–Advanced) and write one sentence about the Rotonde using a direction word (vers, au-dessus, autour de). Bonus points if you spot which statue is facing you!
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