Chambery Place de la Fontaine | Lyon

Information

Landmark: Chambery Place de la Fontaine
City: Lyon
Country: France
Continent: Europe

Chambery Place de la Fontaine, Lyon, France, Europe

The Fontaine des Éléphants (Elephants Fountain), located at the Place des Éléphants in Chambéry, is the most iconic landmark of the city. While often visited by those staying in Lyon, it is located approximately 100 kilometers east of the city center.

Visual Characteristics

The monument is a unique 17.6-meter tall structure featuring the "four-sans-cul" (four without butts): four life-sized, trunk-only bronze elephants emerging from a stone pedestal. The elephants support a tall, ornately carved granite column topped with a statue of General de Boigne. The fountain combines various architectural influences, including Egyptian, Indian, and European neoclassical styles.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Place des Éléphants / Rue de Boigne, 73000 Chambéry.

From Lyon: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car via the A43.

Transit: Take the TER from Lyon Part-Dieu to Chambéry-Challes-les-Eaux (1h 20m). The fountain is a 0.6km (7-minute) walk from the station.

Parking: Parking de l'Hôtel de Ville is the most convenient nearby lot.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Erected in 1838, the fountain honors General de Boigne, a Chambéry native who amassed a fortune in the service of the Maratha Empire in India and later became a major benefactor to his home city. The monument is constructed from Lemenc limestone and granite. It marks the intersection of the historic old town and the grand 19th-century Rue de Boigne, modeled after the Rue de Rivoli in Paris.

Key Highlights & Activities

Rue de Boigne: Walk the covered arcades extending from the fountain toward the Château des Ducs de Savoie for high-end shopping and cafes.

Photography: The monument is the central meeting point of the city and the most photographed site in the Savoie department.

Guided Heritage Tours: The fountain is the starting or primary focal point for all municipal walking tours of the "Old Chambéry."

Infrastructure & Amenities

The square is a pedestrian-friendly hub surrounded by bakeries, restaurants, and terraces. Public restrooms are available nearby in the Hôtel de Ville. 5G cellular coverage is exceptionally strong in this central location. The area is flat and fully accessible for wheelchairs.

Best Time to Visit

The fountain is illuminated at night, providing a dramatic visual contrast between the bronze elephants and the limestone column. Visit on Saturday morning to experience the nearby lively open-air market.

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity is that the "four without butts" nickname arose because only the front halves of the elephants were cast to save on space and cost. Local legend suggests that touching one of the elephants' trunks brings good luck, a tradition frequently practiced by local students before exams.