Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Fontenois-lès-Montbozon is a circular building built in the early 19th century between 1830 and 1831. It consists of a round wash basin, protected by a zinc capital supported by 16 monolithic columns spread over two concentric circles. The water, coming from an inexhaustible source, first fills a rectangular drinking basin before draining into the washbasin, then pouring through a covered canal to the stream of the fountains, crossing the village.

This monument was designed according to the plans of architect Louis-Nicolas Well, and its construction reflects the hygienic and social needs of the time. The public washhouses, like this one, played a central role in the daily life of the villages, serving both as a place for washing, meeting and drinking for animals. The fountain-wash of Fontenois-lès-Montbozon, located in the department of Haute-Saône, was listed as a historical monument by order of 25 June 1979, thus recognizing its heritage value.

The building is now owned by the municipality of Fontenois-lès-Montbozon. Its architecture, combining utility and aesthetics, illustrates the ingenuity of 19th century hydraulic constructions. The food source, which is still active, shows the sustainability of this type of work, designed to meet the collective needs of a rural population. The site, although protected, remains a functional vestige of local history, anchored in the landscape of Burgundy-Franche-Comté.

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