Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Henri Cavallier Sports Park, located in Fumel in Lot-et-Garonne, was built between 1940 and 1942 on the initiative of Jean Cavallier, director of the local factory (Société Minière et Métallurgical du Périgord, SMMP). This sports complex, dedicated to his father Henri Cavallier, reflects the industrial influence of the factory on communal life. It includes a stadium, stands, a mixed rugby-football field, a athletics track, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a Basque pediment and a party room. The entrance to the stadium is decorated with ductile cast iron pipes, produced on site, recalling its industrial origin.

In 1991, the town hall of Fumel bought the park from the factory, which then became SADEFA. In 2008, the site received the 20th century Heritage label for its architectural and urban importance, before being registered with the Historical Monuments by order of 9 July 2021. This ranking underscores its role as a testimony to the link between industry and social life in the 20th century, as well as its exceptional heritage value.

The park also illustrates the legacy of the SMMP, Fumel's key company, whose leaders financed its construction. His name pays tribute to Henri Cavallier, president of the SMMP, while his son Jean was its master. Today, the site remains a central place for the sports and cultural activities of the commune, while symbolizing the labour and industrial history of the region.

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