This is the historic lavoir (laundry) in the city of Vannes. It was built in the early nineteenth century on the Marle River which flows into the Morbihan Gulf a little further downstream. Women washed and rinsed their laundry in the river water. The building was seriously damaged by a flood and was completely restored in 2005-2006. Lavoirs exist all over France, but I think this one in Vannes is the largest that I've ever seen.
We had light rain/heavy drizzle all day on Friday. This morning we're having some stronger rain and it's expected to continue through the day. And it's still relatively warm. We're not planning to go anywhere today. Part of the reason is a gasoline shortage caused by a labor dispute in a northern refinery. Stations in many parts of the country are running out of fuel. Some people are waiting for hours to fill up their tanks, others are being turned away when the gas runs out. And prices are going up.
Stunning. I googled it to see what the restoration looks like. Nice job. Still, so glad I got to see it before via your photo.
ReplyDeleteVery cool.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing this photo. And now we have small machines to do the work of the river. I hope the gasoline problems will be over soon, but I doubt that hope because of the war in Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen some small lavoirs in France but this one is huge! Our gas prices have come down recently and in Florida all taxes have been removed for the month of October.
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
Interesting photo with the lavoir and the structure over it with so many chimneys. What could it be used for?
ReplyDeleteAnd a public latrine hanging on the rampart!
mitch, the new roof looks amazing!
ReplyDeletejudy, :)
evelyn, if it's not one thing, it's another.
bettyann, special circumstances, to be sure.
chm, good question! Drying?
I learned something I didn't know of these places.
ReplyDelete