In Bolandoz, the historic wash fountains are reborn thanks to the Heritage Loto

With their rounded or square stone colonnades, the fountains of Bolandoz (Doubs) resemble Greek temples. “It is a trademark of their architect, Claude Maurice Sauterey, who has created buildings in more than 60 towns in the region,” explains Marie-Pierre Grandjean, the mayor of this Franche-Comté town of 400 inhabitants. During the last quarter of the 19th century, four wash fountains were built in Bolandoz. Large-scale constructions made possible thanks to the cutting of oaks of great market value.

Today, only three of them remain… And not necessarily in good condition. Since the arrival of running water in homes in 1935, the population has gradually deserted the area. Then the appearance of washing machines in the 1960s marked the definitive condemnation of wash houses. Sagging columns, waterlogged stones, framework weakened by bad weather and time are now an integral part of the Bolandozian landscape.

An advanced state of danger which led Marie-Pierre Grandjean to present the candidacy of these unique hydraulic buildings for the Stéphane Bern Mission. On September 2, Bolandoz was selected with 99 other departmental sites for the 2024 Heritage Lottery.

An exceptional Marianne

“Several factors were decisive for our file,” says the elected official. First of all, the advanced state of danger of the fountains. Then, the exceptional presence of the bust of Marianne. » Enthroned in the middle of the square, an allegory of the Republic in painted bronze, created by the sculptor Charles Gauthier, overlooks the watering troughs. However, Bolandoz did not develop republican inclinations until very late.

From 1698, the village took advantage of a royal edict to gain its independence from the lordship on which it depended. So much so that “in 1789, the inhabitants saw no point in adhering to the rights that they already had,” she explains. Deeply attached to the practice of worship, they initially resisted the laws of the Republic and the bust only appeared in 1889, for the centenary of the Revolution, fourteen years after the construction of the main fountain.

Another argument which pleads in favor of the project submitted to the Heritage Mission and not the least: the restoration of buildings using the methods and materials of yesteryear. For example, for stone paving, it is planned to recover those kept by the inhabitants of Comté farms in their barns.

“The project is immense,” comments Rémy Sitz, director of API 25, an integration structure specializing in the renovation of old heritage, having won the call for tenders. “The columns must be dismantled, the paving completely redone, the old joints transplanted…” lists the engineer.

Work should begin at the beginning of 2025 for an estimated amount of 205,000 euros. Thanks to the Heritage Loto, Marie-Pierre Grandjean hopes to restore water to two out of three fountains. So that these places which irrigated the life of Bolandoz regain their former majesty.