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Origin and history

The archaeological and landscape site of the Sources of the Seine, located in Poncey-sur-l'Ignon in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, marks the origin of the river. In ancient times, this place was occupied by the Lingons, a Celtic tribe of the Langres plateau. From the end of La Tene (iron age), they set up a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Sequana, protecting the sources. Between the first and fourth centuries, under Roman rule, the site became a major pilgrimage site, as evidenced by the hundreds of ex-votos and offerings discovered during the excavations.

The first archaeological discoveries took place in the 18th century, with artifacts such as a bronze galley (1763) or iron trident (1787). In 1836-1843 the archaeologist Chaussier-Morisot exhumed the foundations of the sanctuary and a hundred ex-votos. The city of Paris purchased the land in 1864, erecting an artificial cave and a nymph statue (work by François Jouffroy) to protect the source. This monument, symbolizing the birth of the Seine, was complemented by landscaped developments, including a nymphée designed by architects Davioud and Baltard.

In the 20th century, excavations (1930-1967) revealed a Celtic fanum, basins of ablutions, and 300 pieces of carved oak, preserved at the museum of Dijon. Gallo-Roman remains were classified in 1945 and then the entire site in 2020. The Paul-Lamarche Bridge, built in the 1970s, is considered the first bridge on the Seine. Today, the site combines ancient heritage and 19th century amenities, although its maintenance raises questions of governance between Paris and the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region.

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