Lavoir de Beaumont-en-Auge (centre bourg)

The washhouse at Beaumont-en-Auge is one of the oldest washhouses built in the Communauté de communes Terre d'Auge area, as evidenced by the date engraved on the fountain: 1841. The washhouse is almost entirely original, except for the roof, which is made of wood and corrugated iron. The wash-house consists of a large rectangular basin with a smaller one to one side. Both have washing boards and are linked by a small sluice. There is a slight difference in height between the two. The boards of the smaller basin are lower. The assumption is that this was added later. What's more, it is currently uncovered, although traces of the old roof posts are still visible.
Old building features can be seen: the basins are made of brick, which is quite rare in the area. The wash-house is made from a variety of materials, including granite and cement. It rests on six wooden posts, fixed by cement flashings to maintain and solidify the structure. The shape of the basins and the way the spaces are organised give the washhouse a certain architectural originality.

The water supply system is interesting and ingenious. The water flowed into a very small basin to collect clean water, then passed through pipes under the washhouse before spurting out through a square hole. This square hole can still be seen in the masonry between the two basins. The old pipes run around the washhouse and are connected to a fountain. The washhouse appears to be fed by the nearby Guillots spring. Unfortunately, the fountain is now in a very poor state of repair. There is simply a pipe coming out of it. If you look closely at the fountain, you can see a few traces of decoration on the granite. Stone decoration was certainly installed on the structure. Today, the basins are no longer supplied with water due to a problem with the pipes.

As you stroll through the village, don't miss this wash-house. It is close to the church and the Maison de naissance de Laplace.