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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Fontaine du Pélican is one of the many fountains of Pernes-les-Fontaines, a village in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region named after its forty fountains. Although not classified as a "water town" in the thermal sense, this municipality has developed a strong identity linked to its water points, the first records of which date back to the 15th century. The municipal archives retain decisions of the consuls, such as that of 3 March 1596, prohibiting washing in fountains to preserve the cleanliness of the water intended for livestock.

In the 17th century, the discovery of a spring near Saint-Roch Chapel led the city council to vote for the construction of four new fountains. This enthusiasm for fountains continued until the 20th century, leading in 1936 to the addition of "Les-Fontaines" to the official name of the city. La Fontaine du Pélican, specifically, was classified as a historical monument by decree of 14 October 1911, highlighting its heritage importance.

Today, this fountain, located in Cormoran Square, remains a symbol of local history and the attachment of the inhabitants to their hydraulic heritage. Its ranking reflects the cultural and historical value of fountains in the daily life and identity of Pernes-les-Fontaines, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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