Varenne Foundry

 On our way home from Domfront (previous post) we stumbled on this iron foundry dating from the XVI-XIX century. It used hydraulic energy and wood from the surrounding forests. 

After doing some research, apparently this is the best/most complete iron foundry (using wood)                   remaining in all of Europe. 

                                                            

The building below is where the workers lived. 

Apparently there were around 30 people employed here (working directly with the iron). 

Around 100 neighboring country folk were employed for cutting trees and making charcoal. The whole process also relied on over 150 horses to haul everything from here to there.  

I don't know what this manor was. I assume it was where the owners of the forge lived. 

 

For the animals? Pigeons ? Rabbits or other livestock? 

The forge's Chapelle was to the left and the mill for cereals was to the right. The drawing below is what the mill looked like back then, now it's just one lonely wall. 

the chapelle below....

                                            

the mill....

Due to my dubious computer posting skills, it's a bit out of order here, bear with me.                                  This is actually the 2nd step in the process.

Looking up from inside one of the chimneys.

Here is the first step in this whole process. 

This was where the iron ore was initially melted down. 

Below was the last step in the process, La Fendrie. Based off the verb "fendre" = "to split" the long way. You crossed the road from all of the other things we saw thus far and after a short 10 min walk you arrived here. Still on the same small river, the finished bars of iron would be "split" into finished flat pieces, bars, etc. depending on the tradesperson needs. Ex: Nails, horseshoes, blacksmith, etc. 

 

Really interesting stuff. 

I didn't get all the technicalities, but the overall property was quite something. 

I left with the overwhelming sensation that mankind is crazy. 

What engineer found this river, decided they could build all of this, and how hard the work must have been. Made me very happy and thankful to have my nice and comfortable teaching job. 

Good stuff.....