Located right next to the village, it is the oldest fountain in Balesmes and the only one until around 1880. At that time, six other fountains, fed by the Marne spring, were installed in the village.
The Fontaine de l'Epine is built on one of the many streams that form the upper basin of the Marne springs, at the confluence of which lies the village of Balesmes. It is located on one of the sides of the Marne valley, which is particularly overgrown at this point, hence the name of the fountain. The water is collected in a house-shaped open aedicule covered in Balesmes ashlar. Built in the first half of the 19th century, it was once topped by a stone cross at the ridge, which has now disappeared.
The water then flows into an open stone cattle trough, then into a similar wash-house, before joining the Marne some ten metres below.
Fontaine de l'Epine de Balesmes-sur-Marne
