The Brignolais will tell you that these are the oldest taps in their city. According to local legend, this unusual fountain, made of four heads, each with a water spout in its mouth, belonged to no other than Monsieur Robinet (robinet is the French word for tap). The fountain has another secret that few are aware of: while the four heads may be lined up in an even row now, they were originally placed at different heights. This formation indicated the level of the spring, which varies according to the season and how much water is present. Whether the source had a little water (in summer or winter) or a lot (in autumn or spring), one of the heads would still issue water – a rather clever way for residents decades ago to determine the water level. Once located away from the city centre and out in the countryside, the fountain was moved to the aptly named Place Robinet in the 1980s.
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