« Le bateau lavoir»
Planning to install several floating wash houses on the Armançon river, the city council decided on February 16th, 1906, to make a first one down at the dock of Saussis.
The mayor and the architect will then travel to Chalon-sur-Saône washhouse where boats are in service.
On his return, the town council opts for a model designed for 20 washers, suggested by the establishment Favre Brothers manufacturer in Chalon-sur-Saône. Its width is 3 m instead of 2.50 m (standard size) in order to make more spacious toilets.
The floating wash house is transported by boat on the Burgundy Canal to the port of Venarey-Les Laumes. It is equipped with a space for washing, another one to dry clothes. This wooden boat dates from 1906.
It is a floating wash house which was meant to sail. It is one of the last existing in Burgundy. Restoration works are carried out in 2006 as part of an integration project. It is now based on the bank.
Source : Conseil régional de Bourgogne – Service Patrimoine et Inventaire