A Lavoir is a public place set aside for the washing of clothes. Communal washing places were common in Europe until industrial washing was introduced, and they in turn were replaced by launderettes. Lavoirs are commonly sited on a spring or beside or set over a river. Many Lavoirs are provided with roofs for shelter. With the coming of piped water supplies and modern drainage, lavoirs have been steadily falling into disuse although a number of communities have restored ancient lavoirs some of which date back to the 10th Century.
A lavoir (wash-house) is a public place set aside for the washing of clothes. Communal washing places were common in Europe until industrial washing was introduced, and they in turn were replaced by launderettes. The English word is borrowed from the French language.
Lavoirs are commonly sited on a spring or beside or set over a river. Many lavoirs are provided with roofs for shelter. With the coming of piped water supplies and modern drainage, lavoirs have been steadily falling into disuse although a number of communities have restored ancient lavoirs, some of which date back to the 10th century.
There are also bateaux-lavoirs (lavoir boats) in some towns on the banks of large rivers such as Paris and Lyon.
Every little villag, bigger towns, has its wash-house, most time more then one.
Go and find them.
They are little treasure in the rural landscape.