Amboise Fountain

The Amboise fountain, in Clermont-Ferrand

The Amboise fountain is the oldest fountain of Clermont-Ferrand, a jewel of Volvic stone mingling Gothic and Renaissance. The Clermont-Ferrand audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this work of 1515, raised by the bishop Jacques d'Amboise, whose dark colour and three superimposed basins tell all the history and architecture of the Auvergne city.

History

The Amboise fountain was realised in 1515 by Jacques d'Amboise, bishop of Clermont from a rich noble family, to whom is also owed the hôtel de Cluny in Paris. Sculpted in Volvic stone, this volcanic rock of the Puy-de-Dôme come from the lava flows of the Nugère, a volcano of the chain of the Puys, it bears a characteristic grey and black colour, the same as that of the famous Volvic water and of the cathedral. Its Gothic architecture weds a decoration of Renaissance style, then in full rise in Europe and of which the bishop was fond. It is the oldest fountain of the city. The Clermontois nickname it "The Traveller", for it was moved many times: installed originally near the cathedral, it passed successively to the place Delille, to the Cours Sablon, then finally to the current square, in 1962.

What to see

Here you admire the oldest fountain of Clermont-Ferrand, sculpted in 1515 in Volvic stone by the bishop Jacques d'Amboise; its three superimposed basins, its Gothic architecture and its Renaissance decoration give it a characteristic dark colour, and its history of a fountain moved many times earned it the nickname of "The Traveller". The Amboise fountain is a jewel of Clermont art. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Amboise fountain stands on a small square of the centre of Clermont-Ferrand, formerly place de la Poterne, reachable on foot. It is a monument in free access in the public space, that you discover during a walk in the old centre.

Why is the Amboise fountain nicknamed The Traveller?

Because it was moved many times during its history: installed originally near the cathedral, it passed successively to the place Delille, to the Cours Sablon, then finally to the current square in 1962; realised in 1515 in Volvic stone by the bishop Jacques d'Amboise, it is the oldest fountain of the city.

Where is the Amboise fountain in Clermont-Ferrand?

On a small square of the old centre of Clermont-Ferrand, in France.