Foundation vers 1590-1600 (≈ 1595)
Probable creation of Meillant-Charenton, future metallurgical complex.
1635
First mention of Grosse Forge
First mention of Grosse Forge 1635 (≈ 1635)
Documentary attestation of his existence.
1764-1774
Foundation of the Boutillon forge
Foundation of the Boutillon forge 1764-1774 (≈ 1769)
Extension of the site to Saint-Pierre-les-Etieux.
1824
Construction of the master's house
Construction of the master's house 1824 (≈ 1824)
Typical architecture of the Boischaut south.
1845
Stopping Charenton forges
Stopping Charenton forges 1845 (≈ 1845)
Integration in Châtillon-Commentry by Déchanet.
1885
Final closure of the Meillant forges
Final closure of the Meillant forges 1885 (≈ 1885)
End of steel industry on site.
fin XVIIIe siècle
Modernisation by the Duke of Bethune-Charost
Modernisation by the Duke of Bethune-Charost fin XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1895)
Period of technical and architectural innovations.
19 décembre 2002
Historic Monument Protection
Historic Monument Protection 19 décembre 2002 (≈ 2002)
Registration of remains and buildings.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the house of the master of the forges (cf. F 814, placed Les Forges); the fence walls of the courtyard and garden of the house of the master of forges (cad. F 813, 814, 824, 825, placed Les Forges); the façades and roofs of the workers' housing building (cf. F 137, placedit Les Forges); the facades and roofs of the grange stable (see Box F 137, Placed Les Forges); the closing walls of the common courtyard to the stable-grange and to the building of dwelling of the workers (Box F 137, Placed Les Forges); the remains of the fenderie (cf. F 135, placed Le Grand Bief); the restraint wall that extends the split to the east (see Box F 135, placed Le Grand Bief) ; the bridge of the weir (cf. F 821, placed Les Forges) ; the land of the cadastral parcels corresponding to the former right-of-way of the site of the forge, namely the parcels F 135 (former pond of the forge, in large part) , placed Le Grand Bief, 136, 137, 813 to 819, 821 to 825, placed Les Forges : inscription by order of 19 December 2002
Key figures
Duc de Béthune-Charost - Modernizer and Physiocrat
Renovates the site in the 18th century.
Jean-Baptiste Déchanet - Industrial Captain
Strengthens the forges in 1845.
Duc de Mortemart - Owner and affluent
Give the forges to Déchanet.
Origin and history
The Grosse Forge de Charenton-du-Cher, located 11 km east of Saint-Amand-Montrond, was part of the metallurgical establishment of Meillant-Charenton, founded around 1590-1600. This complex, one of the largest in the Berry after Claviières, consisted of five sites including three forges: La Grosse Forge (attested as early as 1635), the Petite Forge (formerly forge of Renouard, 1657-1661) and the forge of Boutillon (1764-1774). These refineries transformed the cast iron produced by the blast furnaces of Meillant and Champange, modernized in the eighteenth century under the impulse of the Duke of Bethune-Charost, figure of Enlightenment and Physiocrat.
The site reached its peak in the first half of the 19th century, during which time it was strengthened to industrialists such as Jean-Baptiste Déchanet. He joined the Châtillon-Commentry company in 1845, marking the end of the activity of the Charenton forges that same year (the Meillant forges ceased in 1885). At its peak, the Grosse Forge housed a refinement, a split, a monumental stable (the largest known in Berry), a master house built in 1824, and a bar of workers' housing in U, examples of early industrial habitat. Today, only hydraulic remains remain (shape-worked couriers), workers' buildings and the forge master's house, protected since 2002.
The establishment of Meillant-Charenton illustrates the technical evolution of the Berrichonne metallurgy, from 16th century furnaces to 19th century innovations. The well-preserved Champange blast furnace bears witness to the architectural progress of the late 18th century, while the Grosse Forge offers a rare example of industrial hydraulic infrastructure (fenderie with its two couriers). The Petite Forge, on the other hand, was converted into a mill after the activities ceased. These sites reflect the economic importance of the steel industry in Berry, linked to local resources (wood, ore) and capital networks, such as those of the Duke of Mortemart or the Châtillon-Commentry industrialists.
The protection under the Historical Monuments (Decree of 19 December 2002) covers the facades and roofs of the emblematic buildings (master's house, stable-grange, workers' housing), the fence walls, the vestiges of the fence, as well as the ground of the plots of the old forge. This classification highlights the heritage value of an almost complete industrial complex, rare in the Centre-Val de Loire region, where most of the forges have disappeared or been deeply transformed.
