Construction of furnaces 2e moitié du XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Period of construction of lime ovens.
11 septembre 2009
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 11 septembre 2009 (≈ 2009)
Inscription of oven and ramp.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The lime oven, with its loading ramp, excluding the auxiliary buildings (Box B 357, placedit Riotte): inscription by order of 11 September 2009
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The sources don't mention any actors.
Origin and history
The Riotte lime kilns are a former industrial complex located at Riotte, in the town of Orval sur Siena, in the Manche department. Built in the second half of the 19th century, they illustrate the culmination of technical innovations in lime production. Their design, with a side gallery surrounding the fireplace, allowed better control of the drawing and easy unloading through several openings, marking a key step towards industrialisation of the process.
The site was listed as historic monuments by order of 11 September 2009, a protection that specifically concerns the furnace and its loading ramp, excluding ancillary buildings. This classification underscores its heritage importance as evidence of local industrial activities related to lime, which is essential for mortars, coatings and agriculture in modern times.
From an architectural point of view, these furnaces represent a major evolution compared to primitive models without a gallery. The lateral structure, by optimizing air circulation and access to products, reflects the technical advances of the 19th century in calcination processes. Their location in Orval sur Siena, in an area marked by limestone resources, explains their location and their role in the regional economy.
Today, the site remains an emblematic vestige of Norman industrial history, although information on its accessibility to the public (visits, services) is not specified in available sources. Its approximate address, 11 Rue des Fours in Chaux, allows to locate it in the current landscape of the commune.
