Two centuries ago, the artisan mason Arsène Bigot, embarked on a challenge, a crazy project: to dig a tunnel of one and a half kilometers from the sources of Grainval to Fécamp (Seine-Maritime) to supply the city with potable water.
You have to imagine Fécamp (Seine-Maritime) in 1826, almost 200 years ago. The port district does not yet benefit from drinking water, and a man is going to play the gentleman dowser: Arsène Bigot. The visible part of the iceberg, but behind that, a titanic work underground. For six years, this artisan mason will dig a 1,500 meter tunnel alone to connect the sources of Grainval, near the cliffs, to the city center.
Aided by plans from the town hall, Arsène Bigot goes to work and sweat at his own risk. Considered a madman at the time, he will be recognized at his fair value long after his death.
Magical! except that all of these facilities are currently dormant. The water today is not drinkable because it contains too many nitrates. Arsène Bigot has enough to turn in his grave.
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