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Origin and history

The large fountain of Frasne-le-Château, located in the Haute-Saône department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, was built between 1830 and 1833 on the plans of architect Louis-Nicolas Well, for a cost of 12,000 francs-gold. It replaces a similar building dating back to 1805, organized according to the same functional axis: an octagonal drawer, followed by a waterworks and a covered wash. The architecture combines utility and aesthetics, with a hall supported by ten square stone pillars and openings inspired by the Serlian style on the facade side.

Powered by a source of the Jouanne, the fountain was a central place for the inhabitants, serving as both a drinking water, a drinking water for cattle and a communal wash. Originally, the spaces between the pillars were closed and glazed to protect lavenders from air currents, but this modification was removed in 1983 to restore the original appearance. The building, owned by the commune, was listed as a historic monument on December 5, 1996, recognizing its heritage and architectural value.

Washing, a key element of the monument, reflects the 19th century rural social organization, where domestic chores such as laundry were moments of female sociability. The fountain is part of a tradition of public hydraulics, essential to daily life before the arrival of running water. Its three-part plan (power supply, water supply, water supply) illustrates a rational design, optimizing the use of water and space.

An inscription on the monument mentions M.I.C. Barret, mayor of Frasne-le-Château during its construction in 1833, stressing the involvement of local authorities in this public utility project. The materials used, such as the stone for the pillars, and the structure in the halls, demonstrate a craftsmanship typical of the region. Today, the fountain remains a symbol of the industrial and social heritage of the Haute-Saône.

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