Fountain of the Elephants

The Elephant fountain

The Chambéry audio-guided tour leads you before its most famous monument: the Elephant fountain. With its four stone pachyderms, affectionately nicknamed the "four without rumps" by the people of Chambéry, it is the undisputed emblem of the city.

A tribute to the Count de Boigne

The fountain was erected in 1838 to the glory of the Count de Boigne, a child of the country who made his fortune in India and devoted part of his immense wealth to embellishing and supporting his native city. The elephants, which evoke his campaigns in India, show only their forequarters, hence the affectionate nickname the inhabitants gave them. A column surmounted by the statue of the count crowns the whole.

What there is to see

The four stone elephants, arranged in a cross, spout their water into the basin, while a tall column bears the statue of the Count de Boigne. A listed monument and an essential meeting point, the fountain is the emblematic landmark of Chambéry, photographed by all visitors. It is an unmissable stop in the discovery of the city.

Practical information

The Elephant fountain is in the heart of Chambéry, at the end of Rue de Boigne. It is a public monument visible freely at all hours and on the level. The fountain can be contemplated from the public space.

Why was the Elephant fountain built?

It was erected in 1838 to the glory of the Count de Boigne, a child of Chambéry who made his fortune in India and was a great benefactor of his city.

Why are the elephants called the "four without rumps"?

Because the elephants, backed against the central column, show only their forequarters, which inspired this affectionate nickname among the people of Chambéry.