Old Washhouses

This little stroll along the quays takes you to the Saint-Georges Bridge, which offers a lovely view of the other bank, the old thermal mill, and the old washhouse. With the abundance of water in Metz and all its river branches, you can imagine that the city had several mills. Whether for flour or paper, they powered several small factories. The thermal mill you see on your left is very ancient; the wall of the lock was built in 1514. And on the small canal coming from the mill, the city has reconstructed a period washhouse, consisting of two identical shelters connected by a footbridge. Indeed, back in the days where women scrubbed laundry by hand with hot water and ashes, the washhouses were set up here. There were also large boat-washhouses moored along the Rimport quay.