Lavoir de Canapville

The Canapville washhouse is one of the few L-shaped washhouses.

It is open on either side and consists of a large rectangular basin and a washboard. The washhouse is built lower than the road, which is why there are two steps leading up to it. Various materials were used to build the basins: cement, bricks and flint.
The wooden frame of the washhouse was renovated a few years ago, which explains why it is in such good condition today. The structure rests on ten posts fixed to cement flashings for support. There are also several beams that were used to hang out the washing. The structure also supports the slate roof of the washhouse. This roof protected the washerwomen from the elements. According to the Calvados departmental archives, the roof was built in 1925-1926 at a cost of 4,000 francs.
If you look closely at the surroundings, you'll notice a sign with the following inscription: "Municipal order of 28 November 1888: "It is forbidden, under penalty of a fine, to wash any object other than laundry, or to deposit any filth on the banks". This inscription is reminiscent of the one on the Bonneville-sur-Touques wash-house sign. For the same reasons, only the washing of clothes was allowed in the basin. According to eyewitness accounts, a woman used to wash her clothes in the washhouse with her wheelbarrow until 1982!

The washhouse is fed by a nearby spring, which has probably been converted into a pond.

Located just a few metres from the Pont-L'Evêque road, the washhouse is easily accessible on foot, by bike or by car.