Construction of master house 1849 (≈ 1849)
The forge master's residence.
1851-1882
Construction of pig iron
Construction of pig iron 1851-1882 (≈ 1867)
Octogonal building for 16 litters.
1999
Storm damaging the pigsty
Storm damaging the pigsty 1999 (≈ 1999)
Significant damage to the building.
18 mars 2004
Registration of pigs
Registration of pigs 18 mars 2004 (≈ 2004)
First official protection.
24 août 2004
Classification of pigs
Classification of pigs 24 août 2004 (≈ 2004)
Definitive protection under MH.
novembre 2008
Burning the barn
Burning the barn novembre 2008 (≈ 2008)
Total destruction of the roof.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The totality of the octagonal pigry (cad. A 37): classification by order of 24 August 2004
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources don't mention any names.
Origin and history
The Bessous forge, located at Chalard in Haute-Vienne (New Aquitaine), is a rural complex dating from the second half of the 19th century. It includes an octagonal pig house, a barn (old forge), a master house, and other agricultural buildings. The pig farm, built between 1851 and 1882, illustrates a desire for agricultural rationalization with its 16 pig lodges and multifunctional central area.
The pig farm, which was listed as a historic monument in 2004, suffered damage during the 1999 storm. In 2008, a fire destroyed the barn roof. The set reflects the technical innovation of the time, with drainage systems and modern agricultural machinery for the time.
The farm was organized around the master house (1849), a monumental barn and other outbuildings. The rare octagonal form of pigsty allowed for optimized animal management. Today, the site belongs to a private company, and only the pigsty is protected.
The sources also mention precise coordinates (5096 La Forge de Bessous, 87500 Le Chalard) and an Insee code (87031) confirming its anchor in Upper Vienna. The pig farm, with its circular corridor and dressing rooms, was designed to facilitate animal husbandry and care.
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