Winter wash house in Toulx-Ste-Croix

The winter washhouse, the vernacular heritage of the municipality of Toulx Sainte Croix, is located in a hollow on the southern flank of the Bourg. Its geographical location allowed the washerwomen to use it in winter. You access the site on the place called "Le Goutteraud" by a wooded path that leaves from the bottom of the village. It was still used in the early 20th century. It is a set that includes dry stone retaining walls, a typical Creuse fountain and an oval washhouse.

The first phase of the restoration work on the "winter washhouse" has been completed. It consisted of brush cutting, dismantling the wash house and restoring certain elements, notably the fountain.

Currently we have started the second phase of restoration: the reconstruction of the wash house, as well as the retaining walls of the "winter wash house" site. This work is done in research and experimentation with the techniques used.

Pierres en Marche wishes to use the "winter washhouse" as a support to promote dry stone construction, the enhancement of flora and fauna, the canalization and irrigation of water.

The purpose of the washhouse is to be attached to hiking trails in order to perpetuate its restoration and to have an educational role.