Fountains
One in every municipality
The word « fountain » is first the place of a spring but also the building made to collect the water gushing from this spring (or supplied by a pipe). It becomes a “pond” when stone work is erected for the water area.
They should simultaneously decorate the place and like the wells, provide water for people and livestock. It is a place of meeting and social life, often at the heart of public places. Their number will start to increase from the 18th century. From 1920, with the development of home water supply, they will lose their utility but remain decorative.
Fountains can be leaned against a slope or a building, associated with a washhouse or water trough or isolated (in squares or in the fields). The last one is what prevails on our territory.
© Fr. Lepennetier
