“You no longer hear this gentle lapping at every street corner”: In Pernes-Les-Fontaines (Vaucluse), a medieval town in the south-east of France famous for its 41 fountains, the basins are empty but the tourists remain understanding in the face of an exceptional drought.
Two-thirds of mainland France were declared in a drought crisis situation this summer.
“The water restrictions began in April but we had so far kept the authorization to run water at a reduced flow in some fountains.
Since the end of July, it's been a complete stop, the prefecture has placed us in a crisis situation for the drought, ”explains Guilhem Millet, head of the tourist office of this city of 9,000 inhabitants.
"It breaks the heart"
“These fountains are clearly an asset to the city.
But tourists, mainly French and Europeans, are not surprised that they are no longer flowing this summer (…) given the drought which does not only affect France”, explains Guilhem Millet.
"These empty fountains are heartbreaking, but we completely understand these kinds of restrictions, everyone has to play the game," confirms Christine Mercel, a tourist from Ain who came with her husband and his daughter in Pernes precisely for its fountains.
“Every summer, we cut the fountains, fed by the running water pipes because of the drought.
Usually, it lasts three or four days, a week at the most.
There is always a storm, a rain to restore the balance, ”explains the head of the tourist office.
“Tradition says that drinking the water from our fountains makes you fall in love.
An anecdote that usually encourages tourists to use them”, but this summer they are deprived of them.
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