Pontrieux holds a claim unique in France: more than fifty private washhouses (lavoirs) line its riverbanks along the tidal River Trieux. Unlike most French towns where lavoirs are public and often crumbling, the ones in Pontrieux are privately owned — attached to individual houses — and a remarkable proportion of them have been beautifully restored by their owners.
The washhouses vary in style from simple stone shelters open to the water to ornate covered structures with carved lintels and flower gardens. They are accessible to the public during guided boat trips in summer, which allow you to view them from the water, and many are also visible from the riverside path. A self-guided walking tour brochure is available from the town office.
The best time to see the lavoirs is at high tide, when the river rises to the level of the washing platforms and the effect is most atmospheric. The tourist office and the boat trip operators can advise on tide times.