Source de la Ribote, Montbrun-Bocage, 31310, France

## Overview Source de la Ribote is a beloved natural spring located in the commune of Montbrun-Bocage in the Haute-Garonne department of southern France (postal code 31310). Nestled in a wooded roadside setting, this spring flows from an old wash — a traditional stone lavoir — and has long served as a communal water source for the surrounding area. Many locals collect water here year-round, drawn by its consistent, fresh flow through every season. The spring takes its name from "Ribote," the historic name of the land on which it sits. The property has been in the same family for generations; the current landowner's grandfather owned the parcel, and the spring was once a well-maintained community fixture. After a period of neglect, the landowner undertook the work of re-captaging (re-channeling and restoring) the spring to ensure a reliable flow. He continues to maintain the site with care, keeping it accessible to all who wish to fill their bottles. Visitors have left thank-you notes in appreciation of his stewardship — a testament to the spring's importance to the local community. The water has been reported by locals to taste clean and fresh, and the spring's steady output suggests a healthy underground source fed by the foothills of the Pyrenean piedmont. Montbrun-Bocage itself sits in the rolling, forested hills south of Toulouse, an area rich in limestone geology that naturally filters groundwater. ## Directions 1. From Toulouse, head south on the A64 motorway toward Tarbes/Saint-Gaudens. 2. Take the exit toward **Montbrun-Bocage** (via the D635 or local roads, depending on your starting point). 3. Navigate to the commune of Montbrun-Bocage (31310). The spring is located along a wooded roadside at GPS coordinates **43.097742, 1.244069**. 4. Look for an old stone wash (lavoir) set along the road in a forested area. The spring flows from this structure and is visible from the road. 5. Using the GPS coordinates in a navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze is strongly recommended, as the spring is on a rural road and may not appear in standard address searches. ## What to Expect Source de la Ribote is a charming, rustic spring set in a shaded woodland along a quiet country road. The water emerges from a traditional stone wash — a type of lavoir historically used for both drinking water and laundry — and flows steadily regardless of the season. The surrounding woods provide a peaceful, scenic backdrop, especially in spring and autumn when the foliage is at its most striking. The site is well maintained by the private landowner, who generously keeps it open for public access. There is no formal parking area, but the roadside typically offers space to pull over safely. Visitors should be respectful of the property and leave the area as they found it. Bring your own containers if you plan to collect water. While locals have relied on this spring for generations and report the water to be fresh and clean, no official water quality testing results are publicly available — as with any natural spring, water conditions can vary. The area around Montbrun-Bocage offers lovely countryside walks and is worth exploring if you're passing through the Haute-Garonne foothills south of Toulouse.