Toulouse, France: Pierre Goudouli Fountain

It's not often that we see a monument for a poet. Toulouse comes through in that department with a tribute to one of its own. 

Pierre Goudouli (by the way, the name has been spelled a few different ways over the years) was born in 1580 in Toulouse, and died there about 69 years later. He had a long career as a poet, who wrote in the Toulouse dialect, and also was a playwright.

I read a biography of his life on line, and can't say I completely understand how his career unfolded. But he was considered inventive and controversial along the way, and thus gained some notoriety. It looks like his best-known work was The Ramelet Moundi, There is a wide range of writing including, perhaps showing the versatility is always a good quality.

This statue is located in the Place du Président Thomas Wilson. That may not sound familiar. But keep in mind that the President of the United States from 1913 to 1921 was named Thomas Woodrow Wilson. Helping the good guys win World War 1 apparently scored some points with the people of Toulouse. There are plenty of shops and cafes in that area, as it is quite a meeting place for the locals.