In the French countryside, there are still many intact washhouses that are no longer in use, but are a reminder of our past. This water-supplied basin enabled the washerwomen to rinse the laundry after washing, and for a long time remained a place for women to gather and chat. In use until the mid-20th century, the washtub was gradually abandoned in favor of technology, and the 300 or so existing washtubs in Paris disappeared. However, one last vestige remains, in the 12th arrondissement of Paris: theold washhouse on the Marché Lenoir!
Built in 1830, it was originally located at number 9 rue de Cotte, next to the Marché d'Aligre and close to the Place de la Bastille. Its façade was later moved when the washhouse was listed as a historic monument in 1988, to protect it. However, nothing remains of the wood-and-metal building that housed a dryer, a boiler and a brick chimney, then an industrial laundry between 1960 and 1987. Good to know: the town council wanted to turn it into social housing, but local residents fought to keep it that way!
This type of popular laundrette was reserved for the most modest Parisians, who had to pay a fee for one hour's use of hot and washing water. The more affluent preferred to entrust their laundry to establishments in the suburbs. These facilities were gradually replaced by washing machines, mechanical laundries, then washing machines and laundries.
