Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Laroque lime factory, located in the eponymous village of Occitanie, has its origins in the 19th century. Initially, between 1838 and 1859, the site housed a workshop dedicated to the treatment of chrysalis, probably linked to the breeding of silkworm, a major economic activity of the region. The cocoons, bought from the local inhabitants, were transformed there, reflecting the importance of sericulture in the Languedoc of the time.

In 1880, a partial conversion of the site was planned with the planned installation of a silk-waste combing and degreasing plant, marking a diversification of industrial activities. However, it was between 1884 and 1920 that the site began to flourish permanently under the impetus of civil engineer E. Brouilhiet. The latter builds three lime kilns and obtains permission to use the old mill and cement mills for the manufacture of lime and cement, thus sealing the industrial vocation of the place.

On 22 December 1884, the Central Hygiene Council issued a favourable opinion on the establishment of the Larocque factory, which formalized its activity. At the same time, lime kilns are emerging in the vicinity, illustrating the expansion of this industry in the Herault Valley. The factory, whose infrastructure includes a cement mill along the river, became a key player in local production, before being classified as a Historic Monument by order of 2 March 1981.

Today, the site, owned by an association, preserves the traces of this double story: that, ephemeral, silk, and that, lasting, lime and cement, two materials have marked the economic development of the region.

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