The town of Bougival’s location on a hillside led to several wash-houses being built close to the springs.

The picturesque wash-house in the hamlet of St-Michel, a place of local heritage, was already mentioned on a plan dated 1858. It is built of stone, tiles and wood and was restored in the 21st century (June 2005).

It was a place where women from the neighbourhood used to meet and exchange the latest news of the day.

It is a wash-house with a “central impluvium” (with an opening in the middle of its roof), allowing rainwater to be collected in addition to spring water provided by a fountain.

Washing took place twice a year, hence the importance of our grandmothers’ trousseaus!