Places near me Random place
All France Rennes ‘A Fountain’ by Claudio Parmiggiani
AO Edited

‘A Fountain’ by Claudio Parmiggiani

Like the monarchs in its home country, this sculpture keeps losing its head.

Rennes, France

Added By
Abi Hunter
The head sculpture is back in its rightful place (for now).   abihunter / Atlas Obscura User
The head sculpture is back in its rightful place (for now).   abihunter / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

The Fontaine de Coëtquen, by Italian sculptor Claudio Parmiggiani, has graced the Place de Coëtquen in the Breton capital since 1993. Although normal in most regards, the fountain has one feature of particular interest: the severed head.

Despite numerous exigences on the part of the Ville de Rennes, the head has been stolen three times to date: in 2000, in 2009, and again in 2013. One enterprising individual also gave it a moustache in 2003. 

The fountain is part of a larger undertaking by the city of Rennes to promote contemporary art in its public spaces. This particular piece still has its head. For now. 

Related Tags

Public Art Art Severed Heads Sculptures Fountains

Know Before You Go

Rennes is packed with public art. Plan to spend a few hours walking around the surrounding area to take it all in.

Community Contributors

Added By

abihunter

Published

August 22, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

Europe

Places 692
Stories 72

Related Places

  • Scenarie.

    Albertslund, Denmark

    'Scenarie'

    An artist has turned what most people would consider a bathroom nightmare into a work of political art.

  • The Méret Oppenheim fountain at Waisenhausplatz.

    Bern, Switzerland

    Méret Oppenheim Fountain

    The Swiss artist's bulbous and overgrown shape-shifting sculpture controversially graces the center of Bern.

  •

    Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • The Neptune Fountain in the Promenade, from the front

    Cheltenham, England

    Neptune Fountain

    Believed to be inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

  • ‘Oscar the Bird King’ is one of sculptor Thomas Dambo’s ever-growing army of trolls.

    Vashon, Washington

    Oscar the Bird King

    Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture wears a crown with birdhouses on his head.

  • The rear panel on Çanakçı Heykeli featuring a woman on a donkey.

    Avanos, Turkey

    Çanakçı Heykeli

    This giant work of Cappadocian pottery includes a memorial for the artisan who created it.

  • ‘Square the Block’ at first glance resembles an architectural oddity.

    London, England

    Square the Block

    A jumble of concrete on the corner of one of London’s terraced buildings is actually a work of art.

  • This ‘Traveler’ is not all he appears to be.

    Orlando, Florida

    'The Traveler'

    If you don't look closely, you might mistake this sculpture for just another passenger waiting at the airport.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member