Pierre Le Grand,4900 Spa

## Overview Pierre Le Grand is a public drinking spring located in the renowned spa town of Spa, Belgium — the very town whose name became synonymous with wellness and therapeutic water culture worldwide. Situated at GPS coordinates 50.492165, 5.866981, this natural spring is one of several mineral water sources that have made Spa famous since at least the 16th century, when European nobility began traveling here to "take the waters." Spa's natural springs have been celebrated for centuries for their iron-rich, naturally carbonated mineral waters. The town's springs were so well-known that by the 18th century, "spa" had entered the English language as a generic term for any place with healing waters. Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, famously visited Spa in 1717 to sample its waters, and the town's springs have attracted visitors ranging from royalty to ordinary travelers seeking the reputed health benefits of the local mineral water. The name "Pierre Le Grand" — French for "Peter the Great" — likely commemorates this historic royal visit. The springs of Spa emerge through the ancient geological formations of the Ardennes region, where rainwater filters through layers of iron-bearing rock over many years before resurfacing as naturally mineralized spring water. This geological process gives the water its distinctive character and mineral profile, which historically has been reported to have a slightly ferruginous (iron-rich) taste. ## Directions 1. Head to the town of Spa in the province of Liège, Belgium (postal code 4900). 2. Navigate to GPS coordinates **50.492165, 5.866981** using your preferred navigation app. 3. The spring is publicly accessible within the town. Look for one of Spa's characteristic ornamental fountain structures known as "pouhons" — the traditional Walloon word for a natural mineral spring. *Note: Spa has multiple public springs scattered around the town and surrounding forests. Confirm the exact location using the GPS coordinates above, as signage in the area may reference several different springs.* ## What to Expect Pierre Le Grand is a public drinking spring, meaning visitors can freely access the water. The town of Spa maintains several of its historic springs as public fountains where locals and visitors alike fill bottles and sample the water directly. The mineral water from Spa's springs has historically been used as drinking water and has been reported to have a clean, slightly mineral taste with subtle iron notes characteristic of the region's geology. The town of Spa itself is a charming destination nestled in the wooded hills of the Belgian Ardennes, offering a picturesque setting for a visit. Beyond the springs, visitors can explore the town's elegant architecture, the famous Thermes de Spa thermal baths, and numerous walking trails through the surrounding forests that connect several other natural springs (known locally as "promenades des sources"). The springs generally flow year-round, though flow rates may vary seasonally. The area around the spring is well-maintained as part of Spa's cultural heritage. Visiting in warmer months allows you to combine a stop at Pierre Le Grand with a walk along the forested spring trails that have drawn visitors to this corner of Belgium for over 500 years.