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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The fountain of the Lavoir de Sermange, also called Fontenotte or formerly Saint-Thiébaud fountain, is a building protected from historical monuments, located in the Jura department. Built in 1768 as the village's large fountain, it is located below the church and cemetery. Its regional architecture is distinguished by three still intact basins: a sump surmounted by a nymphée with four rustic columns (inspired from Wideville Castle in the Yvelines), extended by a watering pot and a covered washhouse for lavender trees.

In 1821, the fountain was reported as degraded, with insufficient fetid water for livestock and firefighting. The architect Dez, from Dole, drew up the reconstruction plans, and the works were completed in 1823. Despite this, water quality remained problematic: in 1859, organic pollution was again noted. The fountain is finally listed as historical monuments by order of 9 December 1941.

This monument illustrates the importance of washwater fountains in villages in the 18th and 19th centuries, combining public utility (water supply, hygiene, livestock drinking) and social role, as a meeting place for lavender trees. Its architecture, although restored, preserves original elements such as rustic columns and the frame housing the wash.

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