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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The lagoon of the Calquière, located in Mende in the Occitanie region, dates from the 18th century and takes its name from the use of lime (calx in Latin) by tanners and launderers. These artisans treated leathers and wool fabrics there, an activity attested as early as 1701, the first written mention of the site. The monument stands against the remains of an ancient rampart, under which the waters necessary for its operation flowed.

The architecture of the washhouse consists of an exterior staircase leading to a first vaulted room, powered by seven pipes. This initial basin flows into the main washhouse, a room divided into two vaulted bays of uneven heights. A narrow central basin, flanked by two stone benches along the walls, collects water before a leak canal throws it under the rampart. These designs reflect a sophisticated hydraulic design adapted to the needs of artisans.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 22 July 1980, the Lair de la Calquière includes its vaults in the protected perimeter (cadastral AS 166). Although the property is shared between the municipality and a private owner, its state of conservation and its openness to the public are not specified in the available sources. Its location, between the Rue d'Augirau and the Rue d'Angiran, reflects its integration into the historical urban fabric of Mende.

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