Fontaine des Neuf-Canons (Fountain of the Nine Cannons), Aix-en-Provence

The Fountain of the Nine Cannons (Fontaine des Neuf-Canons) is a fountain and historical monument located on Mirabeau Boulevard, at the intersection of Nazareth Street and Joseph Cabassol Street in Aix-en-Provence.

The fountain, designed by architect Laurent Vallon and constructed in 1691, was named for the nine cannons that shoot water into the basin.

The Fountain of the Nine Cannons was built to provide water to sheep as they passed through the area. At that time, an easement authorized herds of sheep on transhumance between the commune La Crau and the Alps to come and drink there. The lower coping of the basin, as well as the length of its perimeter, was designed in the 17th century.

The fountain was partially destroyed in 1944 during the liberation of Aix-en-Provence. An American tank has taken away one of the four lobes of the basin, this arm was not rebuilt, and its opposite lobe was, on the occasion of this incident, suppressed.

The Fountain of the Nine Cannons was listed as a historical monument in 1929.