Informations directionnelles

Revenir en arrière pour monter en face la sente de l’Abreuvoir puis le chemin de la Corniche jusqu’à la Ferme du prieuré.

Prochain point : Lat.49.087746, Long.1.675054

Former Trough and Footbath
A Glimpse into Daily Life at the Start of the 20th Century

A Trough for Livestock…

This former communal trough consists of a raised basin set back from the street along a paved area. Its elongated shape is somewhat unusual. The trough was erected in 1904, as indicated by the date on the wall. It allowed animals to drink more easily than from ponds and came with, at one end, a footbath, or “lave-sabot,” for washing the animals’ hooves at the end of the day before returning to the farm. In Chérence, livestock farming was less prominent than cereal crops. Farms typically kept a few cows and horses in addition to poultry. Sheep farming declined sharply in the commune from the early 20th century, with the last flock disappearing in 1993.

…And a Water Pump for the Villagers

Close to the trough stands a balance pump, which was used to draw water from the well. This type of pump was produced industrially and distributed widely across France from the 19th century onwards. The combination of pump, trough, and footbath demonstrates the care taken from the 19th century to separate water uses: medical and hygiene discoveries encouraged a clear distinction between water points for animals and those for humans, helping to prevent the spread of diseases. This pump served the residents of Chérence for decades, many of whom did not have private wells. Indeed, the village was not connected to a mains water supply until 1965.