Elephants Fountain

Built in 1838 on the layout of the Savoy Cross fountain system in honor of the colonial adventurer Benoît de Boigne. He came from Chambéry, made a fortune in India and showed himself very generous to his native city. Not only the 4 elephant torsos of the fountain remind of him, the whole city sees probably in the elephant an identification figure (or a mascot).

The best-known monument in Chambéry is undoubtedly the Elephant Fountain - also called here simply "the elephants" or "the four without ass".

It was erected in the 1830s by the Grenoble sculptor Pierre-Victor Sappey in honor of Count General de Boigne and has been listed since May 7, 1982.

It was erected in homage to General Count de Boigne (1751-1830). After acquiring fame and fortune in India, he was the great benefactor of Chambéry, his hometown. The Elephant Fountain, nicknamed the “4 without ass” recalls the Indian military campaigns of the general whose bronze statue dominates the monument. Benoît de Boigne is said to have given Chambéry more than a third of his fortune brought from India. The city owes him the opening of the rue de Boigne, the construction of the theater, a college, a retirement home, a begging depot and many other charitable foundations.