The most beautiful washhouses in the Vallée de Chevreuse, taken over by artists - Folies Lavoirs

Would you like to (re)discover the beautiful lavoirs of the Yvelines and Essonne regions in an unusual way? After the success of "D'un arbre l'autre" in 2021, theHélium association is once again plunging us into the cultural universe of the Vallée de Chevreuse. 32 lavoirs have been transformed into open-air art galleries, each nook and cranny revealing the creations of 35 talented artists. Using a variety of techniques, from photography to sculpture, each washhouse mirrors its architecture, history and social and domestic role.

In addition to the artistic installations, there are a series of events: meetings with the artists, school events, lectures and more. The four art circuits offer a free cultural stroll through 27 communes.

Use the interactive map to discover these sites in a whole new light. Whether you choose to hike, cycle, discover by car or motorcycle, you'll find some beautiful villages waiting to be discovered.

For our part, we took on the "La Rémarde" circuit, which stretches from Bullion to Longvilliers. Here's an overview of what you'll find:

Bullion

• Lavoir des Valentins by Isabelle Garbil Fauve-Piot, Charles Platel and Catherine Seznec: "L'eau, le linge et les corps féminins au lavoir" - An installation evoking the past bustle of washerwomen, with silhouettes sewn onto canvas.
  

• Lavoir de Sainte-Anne, Moutiers by Hélène Courvoisier and Véronique Tiberge: "Cycles de femmes, cycles de vies" - A tribute to the perpetuation of women's names through trousseau linen.
  

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines

• Lavoir de l'Étang de Vilgris by Véronique Arnault and Fabienne Nuyttens-Perin: "L'être et le lavoir" - A tribute to nature reclaiming its rights, with a nod to the washerwomen of yesteryear.
  

• Lavoir du Pavillon by Lycée Bascan (47 students) and Berry Sauner: "Les enfants sauvages" - Collective land art creation highlighting the historical and poetic dimension of the site.
  

Sonchamp

• Le Grand lavoirby Michel Coury and Cécile Dachary: "Le mot dit lavoir" - A work that plays with words and their reflection in water (we confess we missed it).

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Longvilliers

• Lavoir de la mairie by Cécile Huon: "Les mains du lavoir" - A strong symbol of the hand, this piece pays tribute to the women of the washhouse.
  

• Lavoir de la Bâte by Ghislain Delusseau, Corinne Delusseau Rouxel, Michel Coury and Marie Romain: "La lessive d'hier à demain" - Evolution of washing mechanization illustrated by poetic machines.
  

Rochefort-en-Yvelines

• Lavoir dit "Le Trou" by Claudine Guittet and Marie Romain: "Quand la parole ressurgit" - Recalling exchanges between women, bearing witness to their reality.
  

• Lavoir du chemin sous la ville by Corinne Delusseau Rouxel, Marie Romain and Claudine Guittet: "Confidences au lavoir" - The space where women were free to talk and exchange.
  

• Lavoir de Bourgneuf by Hélène Courvoisier and Véronique Tiberge: "Les liens fertiles" - An emanation of life forces in a bucolic setting.
  

Each work, each installation, is a reflection on the presence of water, on the history of washerwomen, on manual labor, but also a celebration of art, heritage and the environment. A sublime fusion of past and present.

So, if you're looking for a unique cultural getaway, the Vallée de Chevreuse is waiting for you. This is a rare opportunity to experience art in an immersive way, at the heart of a historic and natural heritage. An experience not to be missed. And don't forget that a whole program awaits you at various lavoirs on the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) - check out the good tips.