Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Reboul fountain, located in Pernes-les-Fontaines in the Vaucluse, is an architectural testimony of the eighteenth century. This monument is part of an ancient local tradition, with about 40 fountains, although it is not a classic spa. Its inscription as a Historic Monument in 1928 underscores its heritage importance, linked to the hydraulic and urban history of Pernes.

The first records of the fountains in Pernes date back to the 15th century, with archives attesting to their regulated use, such as the ban on washing in the basins to preserve the cleanliness of the water intended for livestock (Consular Decision of 1596). In the 17th century, the discovery of a source near the chapel Saint-Roch led to the construction of four new fountains, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for these works. This momentum continued until the 20th century, when the city formalized its nickname "les-Fontaines" in 1936, marking the identity of these monuments.

The Reboul fountain, protected since 1928, illustrates this historical dynamic. A communal property, it is located in Reboul, in the heart of a hydraulic network that structures Pernes' daily and social life. Its architecture and location reflect the urban priorities of water supply, beautification, and collective resource management.

The fountains of Pernes, studied by Pierre Gabert in a dedicated book (1984), also symbolize the technical and cultural developments of the region. Their preservation, like that of the Reboul fountain, allows us to trace the history of a community where water was both a vital resource and a uniting element of the urban landscape.

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