Fontvieille Fountain

Take a look to your right—you’re facing the oldest fountain in the city, and it dates all the way back to Antiquity. During that time, two Roman aqueducts were built to supply water to the city of Antipolis: the Fontvieille aqueduct and the Bouillide aqueduct.

Remains of these two structures can still be seen in the surrounding area today. They were used to transport thousands of cubic meters of water every day, supplying the city’s fountains, a water tower for storage, and likely the public baths located nearby. It’s believed that, at the time, a natural spring already existed right here, though it probably didn’t look like this. In the 5th century, the aqueducts and the entire water supply system were destroyed by barbarian invasions. Only the fountain you see now was restored, and it remained the city’s only source of drinking water until the 18th century.

As the population kept growing, it eventually became insufficient. In 1785, engineer Louis d’Aguillon undertook the restoration of the Fontvieille aqueduct to bring more water into the city. That’s when several new fountains were built. But the one in front of you is truly historic—it’s been standing here for centuries.