IN IMAGES, IN PICTURES. “A refreshed space”, the new fountains of the Esplanade inaugurated for the music festival in Montpellier

magictr | June 21, 2024 | Health | No Comments

Les fontaines ont fait le bonheur des enfants. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Les nouvelles fontaines de l’Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle ont été inaugurées, ce vendredi 21 juin, en présence du maire de Montpellier ainsi que les deux concepteurs, Henri Bava et Luc Chaze.

"Dynamiser, revitaliser et embellir le centre de Montpellier", such is the ambition of Michaël Delafosse through the new fountains of the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle. Six months to the day after free transport, the fountains were inaugurated with music, this Friday, June 21, in front of 300 people.

Lower water consumption

After the installation of the new terraces, and before the announced opening of the Comedy towards Antigone, place with fountains, in two areas: the water gate made up of 63 jets which can be up to three meters high and the water line and its 70 projections. In total, 137 water jets were installed to the delight of the children. Some, very curious, even took a dip from the first drops. Water recycled at 95% will allow "lower consumption". "We will achieve around 40 % savings. The old fountains consumed between 10 and 15 m3 of water per day. Now it's two to three m3 of water, explains Luc Chaze, the president of the Belle Environnement company in charge of creating the fountains.

The fountains made the children happy. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

A system with fountains will also be set up on the Max Rouquette and Martyrs de la Résistance squares, during 2025, still with the aim of cooling the center of Montpellier. "This reminds us of the importance of water in a Mediterranean city", relates Henri Bava, in charge of the overall design of the Esplanade and Comédie project .

The Bosc kiosk inaugurated in a year

With the trees and the various fountains, the esplanade should help reduce the temperature felt, particularly in summer, by two to seven degrees. "We opened the Place de la Comédie on the esplanade. We did not transform the alley, we improved it, it’s ;is a refreshed space", Henri Bava is satisfied. The revegetation of the ground will begin at the start of the school year with the aim of "to enchant the space in another way with Mediterranean plants&quot ;, recalls the architect.

Located on the side of the esplanade, the legendary Bosc kiosk, under construction since May 31, will be inaugurated on June 21, 2025, during the next Music Festival. In this sense, the mayor promises the end of the work by the end of 2025, six months before the end of his mandate.