Lavoir de Bourgeauville

The Bourgeauville wash-house, which is almost entirely period, is one of the two-sided "hall-type" wash-houses.

It is one of 14 fountain-washhouses in the area. A fountain-washhouse consists of a small basin that receives the jet of water from the fountain and a large basin built downstream to allow the washerwomen to clean the washing. You can see the washing boards on the sides. The small basin, now empty, was used to draw off the clean water that flowed into it. The walls of the basin are brick, built on a stone base. The framework and roof have recently been restored. The structure rests on six original posts fixed to cement flashings. If you take a closer look at the posts, you will see small notches that indicate the probable location of former drying racks.

The wash-house, located on the Saint-Clair stream, which was later converted into a fountain, is fed by the Aubray fountain. A channel was used to drain the water from the washhouse into the stream.

Situated next to a footpath, in a remarkable natural setting, you can explore this unusual washhouse on foot or by bike.