Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Claeyssens distillery in Wambrechies came into being in 1789 when Joseph Claeyssens installed an oil mill. In 1817, his son turned the oil mill into a juniper distillery, marking the beginning of an activity that still continues today. A plan dated 1824 attests to the authenticity of the original buildings, while the mills, built identically, were added in the 1880s. This homogeneous architectural ensemble, including buildings dedicated to each stage of manufacture (moulins, cooking, fermentation, distillation, storage), as well as a cobbled courtyard, illustrates the evolution of 19th century industrial techniques.

In the 20th century, the site underwent changes, including the construction of a concrete silo in the 1930s (now intended for demolition for a parking project) and the partial destruction of the buildings of the old maltery, a consequence of the widening of the Deûle Canal. Despite these disturbances, the distillery remains one of the last three active in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. It also plays a key role in regional industrial tourism, integrated into the "Jenever River Road", and retains equipment dating back to the early 19th century, which is still functional.

The Claeyssens distillery is classified by order of 27 March 2000 and is fully protected for several of its iconic buildings: the mill building, the distillation room, the old offices, the concierge housing, and the cobbled courtyard. Owned by a private company, it combines heritage preservation and economic activity, while offering an exceptional testimony of the juniper industry in France. Its remarkable state of conservation and continuous operation make it a unique site, both technical, historical and tourist.

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