A lion's head water-pump in France
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (364231)
Rockingham, Australia
June 7, 2019 3:46am CST
While in a village on the Loire canal in France, we came across this pump which intrigued me. I’ve seen many old pumps before but this one had an outlet like a gargoyle. Many of the ancient sites in this village had informative notices that were written in both French and English which I thought was a very good idea.
The sign near this pump read ‘Water pumps multiplied at the beginning of 1930’s. The Dragor pump could reach at over 20 metres deep, allowing a child to pump, as it did not require a great physical effort, and were recognisable due to their lion’s head on which one hung a bucket during pumping, thus avoiding splashing. From 1950, pipework in cast iron was built so as to bring good quality water to the population, obtained from the Loire alluvial water table.’
This is the only pump I saw which had a lion’s head outlet.
11 people like this
11 responses
@LadyDuck (485143)
• Italy
8 Jun 19
@crazyhorseladycx Those are very old and nice water pumps. This one is in the park in front of the apartment of my mother. You can see the "Sforza Castle" in the background.
4 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Jun 19
@LadyDuck i'm glad they'd still be servicin' such. 'round these parts they say 'tis ol' 'n junk 'em. not much real history here'n there ought be's young's the country'd be, no?
that's a castle? wowzers, i figured such a fancy fence 'f sorts, lol. maybe e'en a colosseum.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (48501)
• India
9 Jun 19
@JudyEv yeah that would be great! Is France hotter this year than normal or is it ok?
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48501)
• India
8 Jun 19
@snowy22315 should be declared a Heritage structure!
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Jun 19
oh, 'tis a beaut! so glad such'd still be there :) great they've info 'bout such thingies scattered 'bout. really helpful, these lil tidbits'f knowledge.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Jun 19
@JudyEv perhaps a luxury item 'f sorts?? i wish i'd taken my ol' hand pump from the hills with me here. nothin' fancy, but loads 'f memories.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (364231)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jun 19
@crazyhorseladycx Apparently the head was just to identify Dragor pumps from other brands of pumps.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
7 Jun 19
That is so cool - what a sight to see!!!!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
9 Jun 19
@JudyEv They have lion fountainheads in Singapore also...
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48501)
• India
8 Jun 19
This reminds me of some of the hand pumps we have had in India.
Now we have submersibles which need to draw water from great depths- not a good thing really.
And Aussies won their first two matches in the Cricket WC.
Next they clash with India tomorrow- a must watch match for me!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (48501)
• India
9 Jun 19
@JudyEv ha ha and you can understand that in whose favor I am rooting for!
As of now:
India made 352/5 in 50 overs and Australia are at 235/3 in 39 overs.
Australia need another 118 runs with 7 wickets and 11.0 overs remaining
(source: Cricinfo site)
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
11 Jun 19
Good photo and its nice to be able to find a good working water pump wherever you are.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
12 Jun 19
@JudyEv
When there were no taps in anyone´s house I would say that they were very essential.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (364231)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jun 19
@lovinangelsinstead21 They still use them in many countries. This one is in Nepal.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (125952)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jun 19
Very interesting! So, do the people in the village still use that pump for drinking water? Or is it used for other things, like maybe filling up a bowl for a dog to drink out of on a hot summer day? Was just curious if most of the residents there now have indoor plumbing and access to clean drinking water, or if they still get their water from wells.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (125952)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jun 19
@JudyEv So more of just a relic from the past than? Or maybe something to attract tourists?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (364231)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jun 19
@moffittjc A relic from the past definitely. It might have even still worked but it wasn't just put there for tourists.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (364231)
• Rockingham, Australia
4m
We saw several of these maybe that's how they were made back then.
