Fontanes
Fontannes takes its name from the numerous
fountains that can be seen in the village. Among them is the Saint-Eutrope fountain, where Saint Eutrope quenched his thirst on his journey
for Saint James of Compostela, before becoming the patron saint of Fontannes. In the 19th century, the village was a port on the Allier River: fir forests
(flat-bottomed boats) left Fontannes heading towards the Loire estuary to transport wood, coal, stone, wine, etc.
Today, the river transport business has completely disappeared.
Tips and Suggestions
Road crossings
Topo / step by step
1. With your back to the town hall gate, head straight ahead onto Rue du Parc. At the end of the street, turn right onto Rue du Four, then left onto Route de Bonnefont to leave the village. Cross the D19 (take care!) and continue straight ahead. Cross the Ternivol stream on a bridge. 2. After the bridge, turn right onto a path. Cross the stream again using a small bridge on the right and continue to the left. On the plateau [former mine], reach a crossroads. 3. Turn right and, at the next fork, continue to the left until you reach Frugerolles. At the entrance to the hamlet, descend to the right [oven and wash house]. Before the oven and wash house, continue on the street to the right. Join a road and turn left for about 80 meters. Turn right onto a path that leads to a wood, fords the Granat stream, and emerges onto the D19. Cross the road (take care!) to take the path opposite. Further on, join a track and follow it straight ahead. Cross the railway line using a small bridge and descend to the left towards Billanges. 4. In the village [O> assembly with small exhibition, blacksmith's workshop, fountain, communal oven], turn right. Go around a right-hand bend, then reach a left-hand bend [O> stone cross]. 5. Follow the path opposite until you reach the D20. Cross it (take care!) and continue on the road towards Buze until you reach the start of a bend. 6. Take a path on the left that leads to a track; follow it to the right to climb up to Buze. In the hamlet, turn left [O> fountain]. 7. Turn right onto a path that winds sometimes along the edge of the woods, sometimes under the forest canopy, then opens into cultivated fields. At the fork, continue to the right towards Fontannes [O> Saint-Eutrope fountain in a grove on the right]. Continue straight ahead. At the road, turn left, cross the railway line using the level crossing (> caution!) then, at the stop sign, turn left to return to the starting point [O> village, Saint-Eutrope church].
