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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Houdelaincourt's wash fountain, located in the commune of the same name in the Grand Est region (former Lorraine), is a public building built between 1848 and 1851. Designed by the architect Lerouge, based in Commercy, it embodies 19th century utility architecture, combining functionality and neoclassical aesthetics. Its semicircular plan includes waterworks, wheel-hunting terminals, and a paved surface, all classified as a Historic Monument since 1988.

The frieze of the colonnade bears a Latin inscription: "HIC NIMPHAE AGRESTES EFFUNDITE CIVIBUS URNAS" ("Here, nymphs of countryside, spill your ballot boxes widely for citizens"), reflecting the symbolic importance of water in community life. Owned by the municipality, this wash also illustrates the hygienist progress of the period, while serving as a place of sociability for lavender and inhabitants.

Located 2 Rue du Lavoir (formerly Rue Principale), its current location corresponds to the GPS coordinates validated with an accuracy deemed "satisfactory" (note 7/10). Available sources, including the Mérimée and Monumentum base, confirm its heritage role in the Meuse department, marked by a rich rural and artisanal past.

The 1988 classification protects the entire site, including its ancillary elements (lines, paving), highlighting its historical and architectural value. The architect Lerouge, although little documented elsewhere, leaves a lasting imprint, typical of the municipal achievements of the July monarchy and the Second Empire.

Today, the wash fountain remains a tangible testimony to the daily practices of the 19th century, where access to drinking water and collective spaces structured village life. Its state of conservation and its presentation contribute to the local memory, between built heritage and social history.

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