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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Gex washhouse is a public building dedicated to laundry washing, built in the 4th quarter of the 17th century. Located in the department of Ain, in the commune of Gex, it illustrates the utilitarian architecture of this period, designed to meet the daily needs of the inhabitants. Its designation as a historic monument in 1929 bears witness to its heritage importance and its preservation as a vestige of the social and hygienic practices of the Dantan.

Washers, like Gex, played a central role in the community life of villages and small towns before the arrival of running water. In the 17th century, in rural areas such as the country of Gex, these public spaces allowed women to gather to wash laundry while exchanging news. They also reflected a collective organization of domestic work, often linked to local sources or streams. Their architecture, generally sober, was adapted to a practical and shared function.

The Gex washhouse is distinguished by its precise location, mentioned in the heritage bases as the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville or near the rue de l'Horloge. These indications underline its integration into the historical urban fabric of Gex, a commune marked by its medieval past and its strategic position near the Franco-Swiss border. The building, owned by the municipality, remains a symbol of local heritage, although its current state and accessibility are not detailed in the available sources.

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