Pyrénées, la fontaine intermittente de Fontestorbes : 1 des 30 phénomènes d'intermittence du monde

The intermittent fountain of Fontestorbes in Bélesta (Ariège) is a unique phenomenon where the water flows regularly and then suddenly becomes intermittent during periods of low water (July to October). The complete cycle takes 60 to 90 minutes, divided into 36 minutes of cascading water and 32 minutes of stillness, with a flow rate of approximately 1600 liters per second. Fewer than thirty such intermittent phenomena have been recorded worldwide, and the Fontestorbes fountain has never been fully explained because divers have never been able to reach the top of the siphon. It was only in 1965 that Alain Mangin, an engineer with the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), demonstrated the cause: an air leak upstream of the drainage pipe. Classified as a natural site in 1921, the fountain is located 1 km from Bélesta and offers free parking. It is open year-round. Plan for a self-guided visit (no reservation required) and wear walking shoes for the Pays d'Olmes long-distance hiking trail (GRP). Find us on: Our website http://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/... Our replay page on france.tv https://www.france.tv/france-3/occita... Our Instagram   / france3occitanie   Our Facebook page   / france3occitanie   Our Twitter accounts   / f3occitanie     / f3occitanielr