Situated to the west of the town in the Saint-Didier district, the President's Fountain is the only one to have retained its covered wash-house, which was reserved for private use until the early 18th century. It takes its name from the position of its penultimate owner, who was president of the salt store. The improvements carried out in 1782, on the orders of Mayor Bernard Rivot, led to the removal of the old drinking trough. It was used for cattle reared near the town, not far from the old abattoirs near the present-day Porte des Terreaux. This use gave the fountain its former name of "animal fountain".
The spring, tapped by a vaulted conduit (now partly filled in), fed a double-basin washhouse for easy rinsing. The stone benches around the washhouse allowed the washerwomen to place their hoods loaded with washing.
Fontaine du Président
