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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The art foundry of Val d'Osne, located in the commune of Osne-le-Val (Haute-Marne), was created in 1836 by Jean-Pierre-Victor André to produce urban furniture and decorative cast iron elements. She quickly became a major player in this area, thanks to innovations such as sand casting, which reduced costs and improved quality. In 1851, she was rewarded at the London Universal Exhibition for the excellence of her productions, including a fountain and cast iron parts with a remarkable finish.

Under Gustave Barbezat's direction from 1855, the foundry expanded with a second blast furnace and five Wilkinson machines in 1860. She reached her peak at the Universal Exhibition of 1900, where she realized the golden bronze ensembles of the Alexandre-III Bridge and the Art Nouveau entourages of Paris metro stations, designed by Hector Guimard. After World War I, demand for ornamental cast iron declined, and the company turned to industrial production, while continuing to edit statues and fountains.

The foundry ceased operations in 1986 after several acquisitions, including that by the Durenne Establishments in 1931. The site, degraded after its closure, was partially restored by ANDRA in 2014, including its blast furnace. Today, the town of Osne-le-Val reflects on its future, with projects ranging from a museum space to a place of leisure. The artistic heritage of the foundry continues through re-editions of its iconic creations, such as Wallace fountains or Guimard metro entourages.

The catalogues of the Val d'Osne, with thousands of references, bear witness to its varied production: urban furniture, fountains, religious and secular statuary, and monuments to the dead after 1918. Collaborating sculptors include Mathurin Moreau, Charles-Henri Pourquet and Isidore Bonheur, whose works were broadcast worldwide. The foundry thus illustrates the alliance between art and industry in the 19th century, lastingly marking the French and international urban landscape.

The site, classified as Historical Monument in 1993, retains significant remains: the original blast furnace, the chiseler's workshop, the casting hall, and a working town named after Barbezat. These elements, together with the iron lion at the entrance, recall the social and economic importance of the company. Despite the degradation suffered after 1986, associations such as Les Compagnons de l'Histoire have worked to preserve the memory of this exceptional industrial heritage.

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