Fontaine Saint-Mandé de Gandumas

Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil (hameau de Gandumas)

In the hamlet of Gandumas, near Excideuil, the ‘bonne fontaine’ Saint-Mandé is nestled in a terrace overlooking the Loue. For Jacqueline Desthomas, president of the association Mémoire de Pierres, the shape of this terrace, in the form of a crescent moon, would argue for a Gaulish place of worship dedicated to the water goddess Divona: this is her interpretation, with no written proof cited. She explains that the fountains were christianised around the 11th century and that the cult of Saint Mandetus arrived in the Limousin at about the same time. Mandetus was reputed to cure skin diseases, sore throats and rheumatism, and to help girls find a husband. On Whit Monday a procession of pilgrims came to the fountain. The saint was prayed to, then, for the water to take effect, one sprinkled oneself with it, drank it, or dipped a cloth in it when the person could not come. Pilgrims left a gift so that their wish would be granted. The pilgrimage has vanished, but the beliefs remain. Gandumas was united with Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil in 1792.

Getting there: Hamlet of Gandumas, commune of Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil, above the Loue. Access path and status of the land not verified. Coordinates: centre of the hamlet in OpenStreetMap (Nominatim); the fountain's distance and position not verified.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound