First mention of the forge 1676 (≈ 1676)
Forge cited as medium size.
1837
Construction of blast furnace
Construction of blast furnace 1837 (≈ 1837)
Major transformation of the existing site.
1850
A climax of small forges
A climax of small forges 1850 (≈ 1850)
Period of local prosperity.
1871
Closing of the forge
Closing of the forge 1871 (≈ 1871)
End of steel industry.
1872-1882
Reconversion in lime manufacture
Reconversion in lime manufacture 1872-1882 (≈ 1877)
First post-electrical activity.
2019
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2019 (≈ 2019)
Protection of key elements of the site.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The following elements of the Blanquefort-sur-Briolance forge: the blast furnace in its entirety, the facades and roofs of the other buildings, the technical devices preserved (located in the building in the extension of the blast furnace), the pond and the dyke, in accordance with the plan annexed to the decree (Box F 44, 45 and 164): inscription by order of 25 October 2019
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any names.
Origin and history
The presence of a blast furnace at Blanquefort-sur-Briolance is part of a steel tradition dating back to the Middle Ages in the Lemance Valley. This activity, favoured by metal deposits and streams, remained modest due to geographical isolation. The forge, cited in 1676, was medium in size compared to other local sites. Only in 1837 was a blast furnace built there, transforming existing buildings.
The 1850s marked the climax of the small forges of the valley, but since the 1860s their decline began in front of large establishments such as Fumel. Blanquefort's forge ceased its activity in 1871 and was converted into a lime factory (1872-1882), a wheat mill, and finally a lemonade factory (1923-1980s). These changes led to architectural changes, although the 1837 blast furnace, in bellows with angle chains, remained.
The blast furnace retains original technical elements, such as the bellow arcades and a hydraulic installation connected to a nearby pond, still equipped with three valves. The site also includes a forge master house, expanded in the 1920s, and a workshop. Ranked a Historic Monument in 2019, the blast furnace, building facades, technical devices, pond and dam are now protected.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review