Public Bathhouse

Let’s pause for a moment to talk about the public bathhouse you see on your left. Its simple, geometric facade is impossible to miss, so typical of the 1920s. Built between 1925 and 1927 by the Laval architect Léon Henri Guinebretière, this little Art Deco gem sits right on the banks of the Mayenne. But why a bathhouse here? Hard to imagine today, but in the early 20th century many homes still didn’t have bathrooms. So the city decided to create a modern public facility with sixteen shower stalls and six bath cabins. For just a few coins, people came here to wash, in what was then a true “temple of water,” not unlike the spirit of ancient Roman baths. A building of public utility, yes, but also a beautiful place! Inside, Isidore Odorico, the great mosaic master from Rennes — also known for decorating the Saint-Georges swimming pool — created sumptuous blue mosaic designs. The bathhouse remained in use until 2002, before being restored and recognized as heritage. Today, it is listed as a Historic Monument and labeled as 20th-Century Heritage. Every summer its doors open again to the public. You can step inside to see the row of cabins, admire the mosaics, and get a real sense of what “going to the baths” meant at a time when people couldn’t wash at home.