What was the name of the fountain in the Jardin du Luxembourg?
The most notable of the garden's fountains is the La Fontaine Medicis (Medici Fountain), created in 1630 by Florentine hydraulic expert and fountain maker Tommaso Francini. The grotto fountain was destroyed in the 18th century, but it was restored to its original state in 1811 by Jean Chalgrin. In 1900, the garden's other fountain, the Rohan Fountain, was built next to the La Fontaine Medicis under the direction of architect Charles-Édouard Jehl. This neoclassical creation features statues of Apollo, Mars, and Neptune surrounded by animals from the mythologies of these deities. The fountain was named after Cardinal Richelieu, who owned the land before becoming prime minister of France. He had it placed here as a gift for his six-year-old son Louis XIII who died in 1643. It has been said that the statue of Apollo represents Richelieu himself because he was a great patron of the arts. Also, the lion next to him may be a reference to the fact that Rome had three lions carved on their ancient gates: one for the Republic, one for Caesar, and one for Augustus. Finally, the dolphin is a symbol used by Richelieu's family so it is possible that he wanted to honor them with this fountain. In addition to these fountains, the garden also has more than 100 other types of trees, flowers, and plants.