Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Fountain-Lavoir de Menotey, located in the village of the same name in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a monument whose origins date back to the 16th century, with major developments made in the 4th quarter of the 17th century. This architectural ensemble, composed of a fountain, a washhouse and a cross, illustrates the importance of collective water points in the rural villages of the time. Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments by decree of 19 November 1946 underlines its heritage value, both technically and historically.

Washing, the central element of this monument, reflects the social and hygienic practices of the 16th and 17th centuries in rural areas. Public washhouses were essential meeting places for women, where laundry was washed collectively, often several times a year. The presence of a cross associated with the fountain also suggests a religious or symbolic dimension, common in hydraulic arrangements of this period. The precise location, 3 Place de la Fontaine in Menotey (Jura), confirms its anchoring in the village's urban fabric.

Today, Menotey's wash fountain remains the property of the municipality, testifying to its continuing role in local memory. Although the sources do not specify its current state (opened/closed to visit), its classification and conservation contribute to the development of the region's hydraulic heritage. The available data from Monumentum and the Merimée database indicate a location deemed "a priori satisfactory" (note 6/10), with GPS coordinates associated with the official address.

External links