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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Fontaine-lavoir de Montagney, located in the Haute-Saône department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is an emblematic monument of the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. It consists of three aligned elements: a circular temple-shaped drawer inspired by antiquity, a rectangular watering machine with rounded ends, and a covered washer supported by five columns. The ensemble, surrounded by cobblestones, illustrates the utilitarian and aesthetic architecture of the rural collective facilities of this period.

The construction of the fountain is attributed to two architects: it was first built in 1809 by Mielle, then repaired or rebuilt in 1844 by Christophe Colard, according to the sources. This type of monument played a central role in the daily life of the villages, serving both as a water point for the inhabitants, animals, and as a washing place. The knowledge fountains were spaces of sociability and collective work, often located near the inhabited centres to facilitate their use.

Registered as a historical monument in 1986, Montagney's wash fountain benefited from a complete restoration in 2018, funded by the Heritage Foundation. This project has helped to preserve a major architectural and social heritage, a witness to the hygiene and community practices of the 19th century. The protected elements include the drawway, the waterworks and their paving, highlighting the historical and cultural importance of the whole.

The precise location of the fountain is indicated as being at 10 Rue de la Fontaine, in the commune of Montagney (code INSEE 70353). The monument, owned by the municipality, remains a symbol of the local heritage, reflecting both the practical needs of the period and the aesthetic aspirations inspired by ancient models, very popular in the 19th century.

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