Founded by the Romans in 123BC as Aquae Sextiae, meaning waters belonging to Consul Caius Sextius Calvinus, Aix-en-Provence is a town of history, culture  and, certainly, water. Over 40 sparkling fountains in shady squares and the town’s busy centre supply beautiful cool water, essential in the hot Provençal summer.

Built in 1912 by engineers from the local industrial art and design school, the École des Arts et Métiers d’Aix-en-Provence, Fontaine d’Albertas is made of cast iron and pays tribute, via its fine artisanship, to the marquis Jean-Baptiste d’Albertas. (Click on photo to enlarge and see slideshow).

Utilitarian from the start, a simple basin, well or watering place, fountains found their illustrious history during the 17th century as ornaments of the urban landscape. Their construction was restricted to specialists, fountain architects, hydraulics engineers and artists.

Nowadays, more than 40 public fountains testify to the styles and needs of a town which has integrated them in its art of living.

Focal Journey (by Gustavo Espinola)