LAVOIR DE MANDRES-LA-COTE

In 1844, the town council approved the estimate drawn up by Mr Silvestre for the construction of the wash-house.
From 1873 to 1875, the wash-house was repaired and covered, leaving the east side open, in accordance with the estimate drawn up by Mr DECAUER, architect in Chaumont.
Built at the crossroads of the Rue de Bourgogne, Rue Touraine, Rue Bretagne and Rue Champagne, the sun shone through the façade onto the large, curved basin, around which twenty or so washerwomen could kneel and which had two corner rinses. It's also true that the water-rich wash-house still seems to be singing...
In fine weather, the sun comes out to play with the light.
Its walls echo with the cries and chatter of time. And if you're just a little bit curious, you'll catch a glimpse of the beautiful stone pillars and the corbels that support the roof timbers.
A small exterior sump at one corner receives water through the mouth of a mascaron.