Lavoirs

Prior to using Lavoirs, the washing of clothes was done in one of the many streams in Jersey. Gradually a washing-place was formed by trapping the water under the stones, either in a rough and primitive manner, or by constructing enclosing walls, which were sometimes roofed over.

The lavoirs (or douets a laver) could be communal or individual, and the right to use a lavoir and the preservation of the path leading to it were most important matters, and often referred to in contemporary documents. In St. Helier, one of the main washing-places was the open brook, Le Grand Douet, which flowed through the area now known as Springfield, appropriately named.

“Droit au douet” involved obligations as well as privileges. When a lavoir (sometimes incorporating an abreuvoir for watering animals) was erected it often happened that a contract was drawn up, with the contracting parties agreeing to share equally in all expenses and to observe certain rules. For example, a 48 hours notice might be required by any person wishing to wash his linen. The duties of those who had the right to use a certain douet or lavoir, were to keep the channel clean and free from obstruction, and to abstain from fouling or diverting the water.

Lavoir owned by the Trust

The Lavoir de La Rue des Pres was donated to the Trust by Mrs H.M.C Scott-Dalgleish in 1987. It is a large granite lavoir, which is easily accessible. It is located 500 metres from the Five Oaks junction, just past the Jersey Milk Marketing Board.

Lavoirs for maintenance only

Amongst the other lavoirs the Trust cares for, the most significant are probably the Lavoir at La Fortunee and the Boulay Bay Hill Lavoir. The former is a very secluded construction, which seems to have been built in 1834. The main containment area in which the water is trapped holds 80 pots (a “barrique”). There is a tiny lane leading to the lavoir, which could only be used by those having “droit au douet”. The latter lavoir is also dated from 1834, according to the stone inscription, and served some tenants of the fief de l’Abesse de Caen. It is located half-way up the hill and a small path has been created in order to better enjoy the site whilst protecting the rare specific wetland flora surrounding the lavoir.

Two other lavoirs can be seen in St. Clement: Slate House Lavoir and Pontac House Hotel Lavoir.