The Landes region is home to more than 200 fountains, accounting for around 10 per cent of the ‘miraculous’ fountains and springs recorded in France. Here, more than anywhere else, people have revered the powers of water since time immemorial. They attribute healing powers or miraculous properties to it, just as they do to trees and stones.
In Mimizan, the main miraculous fountain is the Miraculous Fountain of Tuc de Dos, often associated with Notre-Dame de Mimizan, situated along the Mimizan stream.
This small monument, made of garluche – also known as ‘Landes stone’, a very hard type of iron-bearing sandstone – was erected in 1967 to commemorate the cure of a woman’s skin condition in 1907.
The waters of the Miraculous Fountain of Tuc de Dos are reputed to cure ‘couleuvre’ – that is to say, childhood diarrhoea – as well as skin conditions and eye problems.
The fountain is adorned with statues of the Virgin Mary and a crucifix.
No religious festival has ever been associated with this fountain; nevertheless, numerous bouquets are left at the foot of the monument.
How to get there
Leaving the village of Mimizan towards the sea, turn left, pass the Papeteries de Gascogne and continue for about 200 metres. The fountain is on the right, slightly higher up and near the stream (the Mimizan stream), although it is not immediately visible from the road.
https://www.fontainesdefrance.info/fontain
