lavoir

A lavoir is a public washing place, traditionally found in rural France and other French-speaking regions, designed for communal laundry. Lavoirs were typically located near a reliable source of water and served as a social space where households would wash clothes, often with women washing together in rotating groups.

Architecturally, a lavoir consists of one or more shallow basins or troughs cut from stone, fed by a nearby water source through taps, channels, or spouts. Many lavoirs are covered by a roof supported by columns or walls, providing shelter from rain and sun, while others are open-air. The design often includes a drainage system and seating along the washing area, reflecting its practical and social functions.

Lavoirs emerged in medieval and early modern Europe and proliferated in France from the 17th through the 19th centuries. They were frequently funded by municipalities, parishes, or local communities and placed in central locations within villages to maximize access. Regional variations exist in construction style and materials, ranging from simple stone basins to more elaborate structures with decorative elements.

The widespread adoption of piped water and indoor plumbing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a decline in their use. Many lavoirs were abandoned, repurposed, or integrated into other buildings. In the present day, a large number of lavoirs are preserved as historical monuments or cultural heritage sites, reflecting daily life in past communities and occasionally functioning as open-air museums or communal spaces for events.