Construction of the recent cooler 1680 (≈ 1680)
Date of the most recent cooler.
23 mai 1995
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 23 mai 1995 (≈ 1995)
Official protection of the monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Glacier (Case LD 144): registration by order of 23 May 1995
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character mentioned
The source text does not mention any actors.
Origin and history
Agde's communal cooler is a historic monument located in the Hérault department, Occitanie region. Built in the 17th century, it is one of the few buildings of this type still visible today. Two coolers were erected at the same location, the most recent dating from 1680, according to the available archives. This monument illustrates ancient ice conservation techniques, essential for communities before the era of modern refrigeration.
The cooler was listed in the Historic Monuments by order of 23 May 1995, thereby recognizing its heritage value. Owned by the commune of Agde, it is located in 5 Place de la Glacière, a central location in the city. Although the details of its exact use and day-to-day operation are limited, this type of structure played a crucial role in daily life, particularly for food conservation and medical uses.
Communal coolers were generally supplied in winter when ice was abundant in nearby ponds or rivers. In Agde, as in other cities in southern France, these facilities reflect the ingenuity of the population to adapt to climatic constraints. Their presence also reflects the collective organization around shared resources, a common practice in Old Regime societies.
