From fountain to fountain

Name: From fountain to fountain
Address: Villar d'Arène, Villar-d'Arêne, 05480
Telephone: 04 76 79 90 05
Price range: Free access.

Villar-d'Arêne

Villar d'Arène is built on a territory crossed by several streams. The first inhabitants built catchments, pipes and a fountain for each district.
A heritage trail to discover the 7 fountains and the local heritage.

Description

Numerous fountains line the streets and crossroads of the village.
In days gone by, water was supplied according to individual needs, and each fountain or washhouse had its own special character. Running water was not installed in homes until 1954. However, a number of cowsheds had wells to water their animals, which were kept there during the long winter months. Discover them with the heritage tour created by Enseignes de Villar d'Arène.

There are seven fountains: Fontjirle, du Fonton, du Four, de la cime, de la forge, de la place and du lavoir Saint-Martin; at the beginning of the 20th century, there were eight. Depending on their location and use, they have taken on different shapes and depths: lavoirs, low fountains to supply gardens or water animals, high basins for domestic use.

The Place fountain was probably built at the same time as the Church of Saint-Martin de Tours: the notion of a square as the center of village life dates back to the 19th century, and was invented by town planners.
The fountain is located off-centre on one side of the square, because it is said that the mayor of the time, who lived on the corner, wanted to see it and hear the murmur of the water...

Get to know the architecture and traditions of this village by following the discovery trail "Au fil des Fontaines" created by Enseignes de Villar d'Arène.