Le lavoir Saint-Jacques
The Saint-Jacques wash-house in Pertuis
AN ANCIENT FOUNTAIN
Built in 1509, after the water was brought in from the Viade spring, it was first called the Vinory fountain, the name of the old neighborhood where it was located. In 1584, it was decided to build a beautiful stone Saint-Jacques on a pedestal, and to name it after the patron saint of the city's hospital.
THE SAINT-JACQUES WASHHOUSE
The current fountain-washhouse was built by Louis Chaffard, a mason of the city in 1851. It has a water buffet with a pediment on a basin with a trefoil plan. Two small side cannons pour their water into it. A modest covered washhouse, with a semi-circular ashlar basin, is next to the fountain.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD LAUNDRIES
In the 1880's, after the Malafaire water catchment (1), there were 8 laundries in the city and the new districts, fountain-lavatories or laundries of more than 20 places built for the convenience of the inhabitants (2): saint-Antoine washhouse (disappeared), Saint-Jacques washhouse, Saint-Pierre washhouse (disappeared), Rézenin or Résini washhouse, Notre-Dame washhouse, Sainte-Ursule washhouse (disappeared), Balladier washhouse (Rue des Festons, disappeared), Aires washhouse (rue Marceau, disappeared).
(1) A place on the border of the Tour d'Aigues area, near the Eze river.
(2) The water distribution network dates from 1936.
