I never imagined anything like this could happen to this beautiful, elegant fountain in the peaceful Quartier Mazarin, but the Aix town website yesterday showed the damage (above) done to the Fontaine des Quatre-Dauphins.
It seems it was caused by people climbing on it.
As a result, the north-facing dolphin is blocked and will take some time to sort out as the internal water feed is complicated; but more serious is the damage done to the south-facing dolphin which is coming away from the support. It weighs 350kg and has been stabilised as you can see in the picture.
The town authorities remind everyone that the penalty for vandalising les monuments historiques is up to 7 years inside, or a 100,000 euro fine. http://www.aixenprovence.fr/La-fontaine-des-quatre-dauphins-vandalisee
aixcentric 
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