Travel Guide Fontan

Created on June 30, 1616 by an order of the Duke of Savoy Charles Emmanuel I, the village of Fontan bears a name evoking the fresh springs that feed it. Its location at the bottom of the valley should enable it to develop trade and market gardening. However, if the village was well placed for a commercial activity, it was very badly located, on a road of invasion of the armies towards Piedmont. This commune, which was attached to Saorge, became autonomous in 1871. Initially, Fontan suffered greatly during the Second World War: occupied since 1940 by the Italians, its civilian population was deported by the Germans to Turin between December 1944 and April 1945. Today, the village is home to about 400 inhabitants and makes a living from local agriculture and passing trade.