Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: lavoir

In 268 BC Ascoli became a Roman "civitas foederata" but after it had revolted against Rome, it was reconquered and destroyed by Pompeius Strabo in 89BC. During the Middle Ages Ascoli was ravaged by the Ostrogoths and then by the Lombards. After nearly two centuries as part of the Lombard Duchy of Spoleto (593–789), Ascoli was ruled by the Franks but ultimately it was the bishops that gained influence and power over the city. In 1189 a free republican municipality was established but it experienced the sacking and destruction by the imperial armies of Frederick II. Municipal freedoms got undermined by factional struggles between the most prominent families. The internal unrest between opposing factions did not cease, leading to decades of rebellions, massacres, raids, the growth of banditry and the decline of civil virtues. This unstable situation opened the way to foreign dictatorships, such as condottiero (mercenary) Galeotto Malatesta (14th century) who is driven out by a revolt and later on Francesco Sforza who established a cruel dictatorship (15th century) which was overthrown in 1482, even if Ascoli was forced to recognize the sovereignty of the Church. The town was called "Ascoli" until 1862, when "Piceno" was added, evoking the Picenes, which lived between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. here. In the shade, under the balustrade, women used to meet to wash clothes in the old days.

A Merovingian necropolis, containing 173 tombs, was discovered and excavated around 2000. It was located near a convent, dependent of the monastery Saint-Michel de Tonnerre, known since 814. The monastery here got completely destroyed during the Hundred Years War. Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul is the parish church of Ligny-le-Châtel. There is a contrast between the nave and the choir, from the point of view of style and construction dates. Opposite the church is the former lavoir, the public place set aside for the washing of clothes. The water flows in from the nearby Serein riverlet.

Since 1876 the small village of Moimay (pop. 240) has a wonderful lavoir. Since 1912, when it got the elegant roof, it looks a bit like a garden kiosque.

The fortified church, located on a little hill in Dohis, is surrounded by a protective wall and only accesseble through a gate (seen behind the bus shelter). The church was erected within the 13th century, but the strong fortification of the whole complex is younger. To the left the old washhouse.

Well the "lavoir" looks quite romantic and it was probably a very social event, washing clothes with all the neighbours around, - but I do prefer the modern electric version, the washing-machine.