Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Willows' tilery, located at the place known as the Willows in Avoiré (Sarthe), is a former tile and brick factory, probably founded in 1826. Its establishment was favoured by the presence of clay and wood from the forest of Bellême, which are essential resources for production. Originally composed of a house and an oven, it belonged to a craftsman named Marin Guérin, but its production remained modest in its early decades.

In the mid-19th century, activity grew: in 1873, the Willows and La Pannerie tiles, another local site, experienced a revival thanks to the agricultural boom. In 1902-1903, the two factories were expanded with the addition of additional halls and ovens, under the impetus of the Guérin and Richard families. Partial mechanization occurred in 1907, but competition and declining demand led to the definitive closure in 1962.

Ranked a historic monument on April 4, 1986, the Willows tilery was restored in 2015 to its original appearance. Today integrated into the Sarthois Perche heritage circuits, it offers visits and educational workshops. The preserved buildings, dating back to the early twentieth century, still contain traces of the stampings of manufacturers and production tools.

Archaeological excavations revealed pottery studs and stamped tile fragments, confirming the diversity of production (trails, bricks, clay objects). The site illustrates the evolution of rural industrial techniques and the close link between local populations and the exploitation of natural resources, such as the forest of Bellême.

Prior to its conversion to tilery, the site was occupied by coal miners, reflecting a pre-industrial forest economy. The Willows tilery is the last of four factories that existed in Aise, symbolizing both the rise and decline of this activity in the region.

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