Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The former Cochet factory, located in Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, dates from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. It illustrates the architectural innovation of the period thanks to the use of concrete, a revolutionary material. In the vicinity of the director's house, a carriage roof pavilion, built in 1857, is distinguished by its almost exclusive use of coal ash, giving it a characteristic dark shade. This building, which was originally the headquarters of a religious congregation, now serves as an archive storage facility for the factory.

The pavilion, classified as Historic Monument in 1998 for its facades and roofs, is a rare example of early reinforced concrete construction. It is associated with two other protected monuments: the house of the director of the Cochet factory and an adjacent residential building. These buildings bear witness to the ingenuity of François Cochet, engineer and masterpiece, who marked the history of French industrial architecture.

The location of the factory at 70 Charles-Michels Street in Saint-Denis reflects the growing urbanization of the Paris suburbs in the 19th century, linked to industrialisation. Although the accuracy of its current location is considered poor (note 5/10), the site remains a major historical landmark, owned by a private company. The archives and the structure itself provide valuable insights into the construction techniques and social organization of the industrial era.

External links