Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The marbrier ensemble of the Biot mill in Félines-Minervois, dated from the mid-19th century, illustrates the innovative exploitation of wind energy for the sawing of marble. This industrial site, now in ruins, includes a windmill built on an artificial platform, as well as ancillary buildings (carrier houses, vaulted spring) and quarries. The construction materials come from mining debris, demonstrating a circular economy before the hour.

The mill symbolizes the historical importance of the Minervois marbling extractions, a key activity for the region. The spring, with a corbelled vault, once fed the kitchen garden of the carriages, while the remains also include a path to the quarries. Ranked a Historical Monument in 2004, the site retains the traces of artisanal know-how and a social organization centered on the extraction and transformation of marble.

A mixed property (private and communal), the marbrier complex consists of the ruins of the mill, its annexes, three quarries and their immediate environment (placed La Matte, Rec de la Boriette, and La Combe). Although the wind mechanism has disappeared, the terraced structure and hydraulics provide a rare insight into pre-industrial stone-related techniques. The accuracy of its location is considered very satisfactory (note 8/10).

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