Fontaine du Village

The village fountain of Saignon stands in a small square at the centre of the old village, and it is one of those simple, well-loved features that give a Provençal hill village its character. Before water was piped to every house, the fountain was the place where people came to fill their jugs, wash clothes in the adjoining basin and exchange news. In many villages of the Luberon, the fountains were built in the nineteenth century, when new water supplies were brought in, and they replaced wells and cisterns that depended on rainfall. A fountain of this kind is often the most carefully built public structure in a village, made of fine stone with a carved basin and a spout, and it reflects the pride of the community.

The Saignon fountain is described as having decorative sculpture, with allegorical figures referring to agriculture and industry, which were the two sources of local prosperity. The name of the sculptor associated with it, Elzéar Sollier, cannot be confirmed from reliable sources, so visitors should look at the carvings themselves and ask locally for the story. Allegorical sculpture of this kind was popular in the nineteenth century, when towns liked to celebrate honest work, and it adds an unexpected level of artistry to a quiet corner.

The square around the fountain is the natural meeting place of the village. Houses of pale local limestone surround it, with shutters painted in faded blue and grey, and in spring, climbing plants cover some of the walls with fresh green, while in autumn the leaves turn red and gold. A café terrace or a bench in the shade gives a place to sit and listen to the water. In summer, the sound of the fountain is a welcome relief from the heat, and in the evening, the square becomes quiet and the stone takes on a soft light.

From the fountain, a short walk leads through the lanes to the other points of interest in Saignon. The Vieux Village climbs the slope above, with its narrow lanes and old doors, and the ruins of the Château de Saignon crown the heights. The Point de Vue du Rocher, a rocky lookout above the village, gives a panorama across the Luberon and the valley toward Apt. Other villages of the Luberon are a short drive away.

The fountain is free to see and open at all times. It suits walkers, photographers and anyone who likes the slow pace of village life. A stop takes only a few minutes, but it makes a pleasant pause on a walk through the village.