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Bartholdi Fountain
The fountain occupies the north side of the Place des Terreaux, opposite the Museum of Fine Arts and the Town Hall. It was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty, and is titled 'The Return of Amphitrite'. It was intended for Bordeaux, which found it too expensive, and Lyon bought it after the 1889 Universal Exposition; it was installed in 1891. It is a monumental figure in repoussé lead: a triumphal chariot drawn by four horses symbolising rivers, guided by a figure of France. It is about 4.85 metres high and 9 wide, and weighs 21 tonnes in lead and iron. It was moved to the centre of the square in 1992 and underwent a restoration between 2016 and 2018, costing 3.58 million euros, after which it reopened on 22 March 2018 with a mist and fibre-optic system that recreates the original effects.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Bartholdi Fountain: 3 missions
- Watch the mist and light effects of the restorationStay by the fountain at dusk and watch the mist and fibre-optic system added in the 2018 restoration.
- Photograph the horses that symbolise riversGo up to the edge of the basin and frame the four lead horses, noticing the modelling of the repoussé metal.
- Walk around Amphitrite's triumphal chariotWalk all the way round the fountain and find the figure driving the chariot and the four horses that pull it.
Near Bartholdi Fountain
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Bartholdi Fountain?
Visiting Bartholdi Fountain is free.
How much time do you need for Bartholdi Fountain?
Allow about 15 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Bartholdi Fountain?
Watch the mist and light effects of the restoration, Photograph the horses that symbolise rivers and Walk around Amphitrite's triumphal chariot.
What is there to see near Bartholdi Fountain?
Place des Terreaux (18 m), Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (79 m) and Lyon City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) (121 m).
Source: Web oficial - Visiter Lyon