The Essais washhouse is geographically located in the commune of Saint-Georges-de-Pointindoux, but belongs to the district of La Mothe-Achard.
Built from Moulières granite in 1866 on the banks of the Auzance, it has 5 bays which could accommodate 5 washers each. Inside, we can still see on the right a chimney for boiling water and recesses in the back wall. In the past, these were equipped with shelves, allowing objects to be placed, such as basins or soaps.
The wash house was a place for meeting and discussing news from the country and the women of the town went there to wash their laundry. Each pool had its purpose and was reserved for the inhabitants of the commune.
Did you know?
Washers were also called "lavandières" or "les bavasses".
