Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Thouars bath-douchs, built between 1927 and 1929 by the Parisian architect Louis Lablaude, were designed to improve the hygiene of the underprivileged in this growing railway town. The project, initially delayed by cost and location oppositions, was modified to reduce expenditures. The building, of Art Deco style, replaced an ancient medieval tower but suffered from recurring problems of sealing on the roof in reinforced concrete terraces.

During the Second World War, the settlement was occupied by German troops, while remaining partially accessible to the local population on Sundays, until the coal shortage. After the Liberation, its attendance gradually declined from the 1960s to the 1970s, with the generalisation of the bathrooms in the homes. In 1974, the city reduced its opening to one day a week, before voting for its final closure in 1993, effective in 1994.

The building, which housed 17 shower cabins, 4 baths, a washhouse and a concierge housing, now retains its original equipment (baths, sandblasters, blue and white tiles). He was awarded the "Heritage of the 20th Century" label in 2015, and then the "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" label, before being listed as a historical monument in 2022. Since its closing, the ground floor welcomes Restaurants du Coeur.

Designed to meet the hygiene needs of workers and modest families, this establishment reflects the social policies of the inter-war period. Its functional architecture and history illustrate the evolution of health practices in France, as well as the urban challenges associated with industrialization. The site remains one of the few dowel baths preserved intact in the Great West, showing an unknown industrial and social heritage.

The initial opposition of railway employees, who considered the project unprofitable, had forced the municipality to review its plans. Despite these obstacles, the building became a central place for the community, combining public utility and architectural innovation. Its recent inscription as a historical monument underscores its heritage importance and documentary value for French social history.

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