The Bartholdi fountain, the Garonne in Lyon!

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This sculptural masterpiece, created by the famous artist Frédéric Bartholdi, is a living symbol of artistic perseverance.

Its origins date back to the city of Bordeaux, which in 1857 launched an ambitious fountain project for the famous Place des Quinconces. Frédéric Bartholdi, then a young sculptor, won the competition, but unfortunately the project was abandoned by the Bordeaux city council.

However, after the triumph of the Statue of Liberty in New York in 1886, he decided to bring his initial project to life, renamed the "Triumphal Chariot of the Garonne". He found a new home for his work, namely the Place des Terreaux. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the mayor at the time, Antoine Gailleton, the work was acquired for the sum of 100,000 francs. The fountain was inaugurated in 1892 at its original location opposite the town hall. It was inaugurated a second time in 1995, at its new location opposite the Museum of Fine Arts and was classified as a historic monument.

As you can see (see photo), the architecture of the fourth bay on the right is different from the others. In the 19th century, the last coat of arms, located on the far right, was added to the façade. This extension was carried out on a section that did not exist in the original structure of the house. This additional part was conquered from a passage open to the public, known as 'Street of the Bestes', which served as an access route to the Saône from the Place du Change. It is likely that this "wild" extension is responsible for the imbalance observed at the gate (see photo) and the impost of number 3 of the square, located at the corner of the house.

Listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1927 and classified as a Historic Monument in 1992, this house is a true heritage treasure. Its façade reveals fascinating details, from the signs of the zodiac on the first floor to the royal coats of arms and 19th-century additions, testifying to its adaptation over time.

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Pierre Bossan

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