About
The Arlatane wash house is part of Gassin's rural heritage. Located on the far outskirts of the village, it sits on the Sources Trail, along the path to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolation chapel. It serves as a reminder of the importance of water in Provence.
The Arlatane wash house owes its name to the spring that emerges next to it. Its name probably derives from arelate, a word of Celtic origin designating a place located near a pond or marsh.
Its location, far from the village, is surprising. The villagers chose a hilltop spot for Gassin, perched atop the hill overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Bay of Cavalaire. They wanted to escape the insecurity that prevailed along the coast, despite the difficulty of finding water there. Several systems (rainwater harvesting, boreholes, cisterns) existed before modern water supply methods. In the village, several structures (the original castle tower transformed into a cistern, a 17th-century well) bear witness to this past. Other vestiges can be found throughout the village, in different neighborhoods, some of which bear names reflecting the importance of water in Provence, such as Bonne Fontaine (Good Fountain).
Wash houses were once places of sociability for the women who used them. They were an important place in public life.
Before running water and washing machines, the women of Gassin went to the wash house to wash their household linen. They wore everyday clothes like heavy sheets there.
This small open wash house is the size of the small rural community that Gassin was until the 20th century. It has three basins, one for rinsing before a second for washing.
The wash house and the spring are also known as "The Fairy Spring". They are depicted on the enigmatic Monument to Saint Joseph at the entrance to the cemetery.
- Animals : Not available
- Visits: Self-guided group tours are always available
Prices
Free.
Schedules
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From 01/01/26 to 31/12/26
- Monday : Open
- Tuesday : Open
- Wednesday : Open
- THURSDAY : Open
- Friday : Open
- SATURDAY : Open
- Sunday : Open
Contact
Trail of the Springs
83580 Gassin
83580 Gassin
