Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Étang roadway, also known as a dam, is a hydraulic structure built on the Wallet Creek in Saint-Benoît-du-Sault. It carries the Route départementale n°1, a major axis linking Le Blanc to Saint-Benoît-du-Sault and Limoges. Although its origin dates back to the Middle Ages, its present appearance dates back to the second half of the 18th century, a period during which it was profoundly reshaped under the Old Regime.

This development was historically dependent on the provost of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, a local institution responsible for administration and justice under the royal authority. The roadway illustrates the importance of hydraulic infrastructure in the region's territorial and economic organisation, combining road and water management functions. Its "remarkable" character, underlined by the sources, led to its classification as Historic Monument by order of 21 October 2011.

Today owned by the Indre department, the pavement embodies both a technical and a landscaped heritage. Its layout, incorporating a road always used, is proof of the sustainability of pre-industrial developments. The approximate location, located near the Route de Limoges (22 Route de Limoges, 36170 Saint-Benoît-du-Sault), makes it a visible part of the local landscape, although its cartographic accuracy is considered "satisfactory" (note 7/10).

External links