How many times have I glimpsed this modest fountain, a discreet refuge for thirsty cyclists, without ever stopping? One day, however, curiosity got the better of me: why a fountain in this very spot? What’s its history? And above all… what does Napoleon have to do with all this?
To satisfy my curiosity, I decided to stop along the way to get answers to my questions.
Why a fountain here? How long has it existed? What is its history?
First observation: a date and a name… what a surprise!
“Napoleon emperor”, and this date inscribed in stone… 1805
Has Napoleon been here?
Here I am, researching to find out more.
It would therefore appear that Napoleon came down the Col de la Faucille on his way to fight the battle at Marengo, in Italy. It is also said that the deposed emperor passed through on his way back from Elba and quenched his thirst at the fountain that now bears his name.
Is this a true story?
That doesn’t seem very likely! In fact, the fountain owes its name to a zealous prefect (Barante, then prefect of the Ain) who named it in honour of Napoleon in 1805, just as he was beginning his reign.
As for the name “Crettet” on the fountain, it refers to the man who built the carriage road, which was completed in 1804. From now on, I won’t be seeing this bend just as a resting place for brave cyclists.
As the famous saying goes…
You should never say: "Fountain, I will not drink your water"!
Thematics
