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Origin and history

The Jahotière forges, located in the town of Abbaretz (Loire-Atlantique), originated in the 17th century, but their major industrial development dates back to the early 19th century. In 1826, Achille de Jouffroy d'Abbans, an engineer and industrialist, acquired the estate after being inspired by the agricultural success of the nearby Abbey of Melleray. He discovered an iron deposit and, convinced of the presence of coal, launched an ambitious project of modern forge, attracting investors like Louis-Hyacinthe Levesque, Mayor of Nantes. Despite promising hopes relayed by the local press, the absence of coal in the basement quickly condemned the company, forcing Jouffroy d'Abbans to exile to London at the end of 1827.

The buildings built in 1827, including a blast furnace, workers' housing, an engineering house and a refectory, illustrate the early adoption in France of the English coke casting process, operated by a steam machine. The site, partially classified as a Historical Monument in 1986 and in its entirety in 1987, bears witness to this aborted industrial adventure. In the 20th century, the estate was rehabilitated in a manor house hosting cultural events and exhibitions of contemporary art (2002–2005), while preserving its heritage thanks to the Association of Friends of the Forges of Jahotière, created in 1999 for its restoration and heritage enhancement.

The architecture of the site combines a 17th-century house, symbol of the old farm, with 19th-century industrial infrastructure, such as a brick fireplace with a square section or a 14-metre-high blast furnace. These elements, now protected, reflect both the technical audacity of the time and the limits of local resources. The estate, open to the public for visits and accommodation, is part of the industrial landscape of the country of Châteaubriant, while serving as a place of memory for the economic history of the Pays de la Loire.

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