Lavoir
A Lavoir is a public place in France set aside for the washing of clothes. They are commonly sited on a spring or beside or set over a river. Many Lavoirs are provided with roofs for shelter. With the coming of piped water supplies and modern drainage, lavoirs have been steadily falling into disuse although a number of communes have restored ancient lavoirs some of which date back to the 10th Century.
This lavoir (wash-house) in Rives (74 200 Thonon, Haute-Savoie, France) is lit in by the March afternoon slanting sun. Polished stone slabs line around the central pool, which reflects its light against the wall (note the date 1887 on a plaque), and the hall is cool and quiet, while it was a century ago ringing with bat thuds, washing songs and the loud chatter of gossips.
There are also bateaux-lavoirs (lavoir boats) in some towns on the banks of large rivers such as Paris and Lyon.
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