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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La glacière de Castelnau-le-Lez, located in the Hérault department in Occitanie, is a historic monument registered since 2010. This type of construction, typical of the Midi Méditerranée, was used to preserve snow and ice harvested in winter for summer use. The cooler consists of two vaulted stone structures, semi-entered under a promontory south of the medieval village. Its dome-shaped architecture with a central oculus recalls ancient techniques adapted to local needs.

As early as the 17th century, the practice of ice conservation was framed by royal privileges, such as that of 1659. In Castelnau-le-Lez, the first records of the cooler date back to 1686, in a report by the consuls of Montpellier. The ice, transported from the Aigoual with mules and then by carts, was stored in these coolers until summer. Activity seems to have declined in the late 18th century, although the building was still referenced on a plan of 1880.

The double cooler, built of Castries stone, illustrates an artisanal technique of thermal insulation: covered with earth and sometimes with thatch, it allowed to preserve the ice for several months. The access was through a central well, while a low-flow system evacuated the meltwater. Today, the site, located at 19 Roger-Salengro Street, is fully protected, including its access hall.

This monument reflects a major economic and social practice in pre-industrial Mediterranean regions, where ice was a valuable commodity for food conservation and medical use. Its gradual abandonment reflects the technological changes and new methods of refrigeration that emerged in the 19th century.

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