Do you recognize these French mountains?
 

I tried to help a court reporter this morning with material a French man had given in court. He mentioned two French mountains that I don't know how to spell and that I have never heard of before. One sounded like Core doh noh, the other like Le sah let or le suh ret. He said of the latter "maybe like old fountain." Does anyone have a clue? He was born in Lille, but I don't know that the mountains are in that region. Flanders may not even have mountains. Thanks very much. Boots

The Vosges mountains are in the north, just southeast of Lille, and the highest peak in the Vosges is (Mont) Donon. The 2001 Tour de france crossed its summit (Col), abnd thus, there are references to Col du Donon in coverage of the race that year.

I haven't figured out the other one yet. What was the context?

Best wishes,

Rex

Maybe a reference to (Col du) Saales?

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vosges_mountains

And the <i>commune</i> of Saales is apparently well known for its old fountains...

http://www.mairie-saales.fr/10434.html

Thanks, Rex. I'm sure you are right. I don't know the context of either since I don't have a court reporter's copy. The second one came right after the first and I thought he might be referring to a mountain, but he did say &quot;maybe like old fountain.&quot;
I will phone in your suggestion.
It was a mistrial, and I hope the French man, now an American citizen, wins.
Thanks again,
Boots

Here's a bit more on the second reference. It is near the Val Bonnais (I'm not familiar with this Val, so it is possible the court reporter has misspelled it) and behind the Col du Donon.
I was writing my first reply when you were sending your second one, so I will check out the websites you mentioned.
I hope this puzzle isn't costing you too much of your valuable time.
Boots

&lt;&lt; I hope this puzzle isn't costing you too much of your valuable time. &gt;&gt;

LOL!

Yeah, you owe me a penny. One of these days, maybe I'll send Fodors an invoice - - well over a hundred dollars!

You and I are being paid the same. I spent an hour with the court reporter this morning and have been working at home for about an hour. At least I may get some recognition from the reporter; all you get are my thanks.
Boots