The Fontaine de Tavannes is located northeast of the city of Verdun. Water from underground springs streams here to the surface and feeds the 13 km long Ruisseau de Tavannes. The water from the springs was said to have a healing effect, especially for curing childhood deceases .

In 1888, the French army built a pumping station here . The station is located approximately 600 m east of the eastern entrance of the Tunnel de Tavannes. It consisted of underground water basins and an engine room with lifting system which pumped the water via pipes to the fortifications of Vaux, Tavannes, Souville and La Laufée .

In World War I, during the Battle of Verdun in 1916, the station lost its original function. The heavy bombardments made the pipe system unusable. The station probably served as a staff accommodation for the French army.