Fontaine Du Vieux Meunier, Saint Girons, France, 09200

## Overview Fontaine du Vieux Meunier — the "Fountain of the Old Miller" — is a charming public drinking spring located near the town of Saint-Girons in the Ariège department of the French Pyrenees. Situated at a spot known as *Le Moulin* ("The Mill"), the spring's name and location hint at a long history tied to the area's milling traditions, when water-powered mills were vital to rural life in the Pyrenean foothills. The spring sits on private property, yet the residents who live nearby have never claimed it as their own. They regard the water with deep reverence and consider it to have a special, almost sacred quality. According to locals, one longtime resident who drank from the spring regularly lived to the remarkable age of 96 — a testament, they believe, to the water's exceptional character. Visitors have historically used the spring as a drinking water source, and it remains a beloved fixture of the local community. The water emerges from a nearby source and is channeled through a quaint, somewhat whimsical pipe — an endearing detail that adds to the spring's rustic appeal. The surrounding landscape of the Couserans region offers lush green valleys, rolling hills, and the dramatic backdrop of the Pyrenees, making a visit to this spring a rewarding detour for anyone exploring the area. ## Directions 1. From the center of **Saint-Girons**, head toward **Rivèrenert** on the **D33** (a secondary departmental road). 2. Follow the D33 as it winds through the countryside. 3. Look for the hamlet or locality known as **Le Moulin** ("The Mill") along the roadside. 4. The spring is found at the edge of the road near a private residence. The distinctive pipe from which the water flows should be visible from the road. **GPS coordinates:** 42.956273, 1.180794 ## What to Expect Fontaine du Vieux Meunier is a modest, roadside spring rather than a grand natural feature — but that's part of its charm. The water flows continuously through a characterful pipe, and the setting is peaceful and deeply rural. The spring is located alongside the D33, so access is straightforward by car. The property owners are welcoming and do not restrict access to the spring, though visitors should be respectful of the surrounding private land. The locals are often happy to share stories about the spring and its history if you stop to chat. The Couserans valley around Saint-Girons is a beautiful and relatively undiscovered part of southern France, with excellent hiking, caving, and thermal spa opportunities nearby. The spring makes a lovely stop on a broader exploration of the Ariège Pyrenees. Water flow is generally consistent, though conditions may vary seasonally. As with any natural spring, the water has historically been used for drinking but has not been officially tested or certified — visitors should use their own discretion.