Fountain walk in Bex - country version
Route Information
Description
A fountain, a marble or granite basin and flowing water. And sometimes a pretty goat, since that's what the pillar where the spout is fixed is called. Having said that, let's stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of history. Some time ago, the fountain was a real place of life, pleasure and work. Today, the social role of some of them still exists. Have a look in particular at Crétel, at stage 13. In Bex, the fountains are almost everywhere. This is normal, since the municipality of nearly 100 km2 is a real water tower, pure and excellent, coming down from the nearby mountains, from the Diablerets, the Muveran, the Argentina or the Vallon de Nant.
Most of these fountains date from the 19th or early 20th century. Fountains, again, were often at the heart of vital and social activities. Especially for women, painstakingly washing the family laundry and telling stories. But the water from the fountains was also used to support fires, to fill barrels, to water animals, and to provoke quarrels when neighbouring houses were sometimes flooded or when the authorities were slow to restore the roofing damaged by a large vehicle. The walk we propose becomes a reflection of the life of the neighbourhoods. The fountains then become the thread of the history of the town, from the 18th century to the present day. Some have a very strong symbolic interest, such as the one in the Glarey district (stage 11), while others are simple functional achievements in districts embracing modernity. Have a nice walk!
Practical Information
Departure from the Grande Salle du Parc. Duration 1h15. Follow the markings on the ground.
Links
A fountain, a marble or granite basin and flowing water. And sometimes a pretty goat, since that's what the pillar where the spout is fixed is called. Having said that, let's stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of history. Some time ago, the fountain was a real place of life, pleasure and work. Today, the social role of some of them still exists. Have a look in particular at Crétel, at stage 13. In Bex, the fountains are almost everywhere. This is normal, since the municipality of nearly 100 km2 is a real water tower, pure and excellent, coming down from the nearby mountains, from the Diablerets, the Muveran, the Argentina or the Vallon de Nant.
Most of these fountains date from the 19th or early 20th century. Fountains, again, were often at the heart of vital and social activities. Especially for women, painstakingly washing the family laundry and telling stories. But the water from the fountains was also used to support fires, to fill barrels, to water animals, and to provoke quarrels when neighbouring houses were sometimes flooded or when the authorities were slow to restore the roofing damaged by a large vehicle. The walk we propose becomes a reflection of the life of the neighbourhoods. The fountains then become the thread of the history of the town, from the 18th century to the present day. Some have a very strong symbolic interest, such as the one in the Glarey district (stage 11), while others are simple functional achievements in districts embracing modernity. Have a nice walk!
Practical Information
Departure from the Grande Salle du Parc. Duration 1h15. Follow the markings on the ground.