To spot Place Puget, look up ahead for a lively square with a stone fountain covered in green ivy and three dramatic stone dolphins with their tails swirling in the center, nestled among some shade-giving trees.
Now that you’re here, take a deep breath and listen closely-Place Puget is full of stories! Imagine yourself back in the 1600s when this square first came alive with the old fountain, crafted by the hardworking artist Gaspard Puget. The town was bustling with sailors and merchants, and everyone came to the fountain for news, gossip, and-let’s be honest-a little water fight in the hot sun. Fast forward to 1780, and the big round basin you see now took pride of place, but the real showstoppers are those three dolphins twisting together like they’re playing a never-ending game of tag. Sculptor Jean-Pancrace Chastel brought them to life, tails intertwined, as if frozen mid-leap.
Oh, and here’s a fun twist: the square was first called the “Place of Three Dolphins” before getting its current name in 1869. Who could resist naming a place after dolphins, right? This spot has seen it all: celebrations, protests, debates over who had the best baguette in Toulon! Next time you toss a coin in the fountain, wish for a story as wild as theirs. Ready to head to our next stop? There’s always more history (and maybe a few more dolphins) around the corner!
