Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Blanchisserie

When, some years ago, I was more hiking than driving through France, I often took breaks in launderettes, to wash my clothes. The longer I have travelled - the more I loved launderettes, as they are important meeting and melting points.

When, about a decade ago, I took a break on my walk from Geneva to Conques in Le Puy, I had to "visit" one of the launderettes in town. The more and the longer I have travelled - the more I loved launderettes, as they are inmportant meeting and melting points. "Lav' Flash" was open already very early that morning.

The more and the longer I have travelled (with limited baggage!) - the more I loved launderettes. This one in Albi had a very clean and nearly irresistible smell.

The self-service laundry is open from 07.00 to 22.00, but even at night time it is protected by Pope Francis, whose poster is attached to the wall.

The more and the longer I have travelled - the more I loved launderettes. Launderettes are the meeting and melting point. Here the weary traveller will meet and talk to locals. There is an hour to spend at least, waiting for the washing machine. Talk is cheap. For the tourist all the locals have interesting stories to listen to and for the locals this stranger in the launderette is interesting. What is he doing in here? Washing clothes! Why? As they are dirty? Where do you stay? What do you work? How is your life? Where will you be tomorrow? Launderettes - are definitely underestimated! Seen here is a nice launderette in Nice. Unfortunatley I never took a photo of my favourite launderette, the "Tin Tin Tango" in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki, Finland. The "Tin Tin Tango" combines a couple of washing machines and tumbling dryers, a coffee shop - and a sauna. Sebastian took a nice shot from the facade in winter: www.flickr.com/photos/sstorholm/5369817957/ Just learned, that the "Tin Tin Tango" has a website (in finnish): www.tintintango.info/

A group of colourfully dressed young ladies have gathered at the corner of the "Lavanderia".