Sentiers du Patrimoine ®
Ableiges
Revenir en arrière et monter par la rue du Dr Schweitzer jusqu’au La calvaire.
Prochain point : Lat. 49.07815, Long. 2.09917
Long overrun by vegetation, this washhouse had fallen somewhat into oblivion before being restored and highlighted by the commune of Ableiges. The commune also purchased the plots of land near the Viosne and secured their protection as a natural area. The washhouse is situated not far from the course of the Viosne and fed by a spring, its emergence probably encouraged by the impermeable clay soil. It consists of a large rectangular basin dedicated to washing and rinsing clothes, and smaller basins upstream, probably used for drawing clear water. This distinction in the uses of water is typical of the hygienist movement that developed in the 19th century, which helped limit the transmission of diseases such as cholera through polluted water. Along the edges, the slightly sloping washing stones allowed washerwomen to lay out the laundry.
The history of this washhouse remains somewhat enigmatic, as few documents shed light on its origins. It does not appear on old postcards nor on the Napoleonic cadastre. This, however, is not surprising, as most washhouses were installed in villages after 1851, following the passing of national laws promoting their development. It does not appear to have been covered, unlike other washhouses built along the Viosne, for instance near the level crossing. Its location is probably linked to the presence of the spring, as it is slightly off-centre from the village, which must have required washerwomen to make longer journeys with wheelbarrows and baskets full of laundry. The clothes were first washed at home in boiling water before being taken to the washhouse for final cleaning and rinsing.
