The Moulin de la Petite Bavouze, a sustainable heritage
Emblematic of the canalized river in the 19th century, the Petite Bavouze mill is a perfect example of sustainable heritage. It used to work with the energy provided by the river. Restored according to traditional know-how, it is reborn and hosts, on the occasion of the European Heritage Days, its first exhibition entitled "Shellfish".
Shellfish and crustaceans: a facet of the heritage of the sea and the river
Eva Gohier, professor of visual arts at the Conservatoire du Pays de Château-Gontier, presents an exhibition of her students dedicated to a component of the heritage of the sea and the river: shellfish and crustaceans.
By carefully observing these shells and crustaceans, Eva Gohier’s students challenged themselves to paint their subject in the most accurate and sensitive way possible. By drawing and painting in watercolor their different shapes, colors and textures, they have accounted for the beauty of the living, succeeding in «making them visible» otherwise than by consuming them.
The Petite Bavouze mill, industrial and river heritage of the Mayenne
The Petite Bavouze mill used the driving force of water to drive its machines. The building is restored in its original state by using traditional techniques (replacement of tuffeau stones, traditional plaster with aerial lime, oak carpentry...) implemented by companies specialized in the restoration of historic monuments under the direction of a heritage architect.
Restoration is carried out with respect for biodiversity. For example, arrangements have been made to preserve the habitat of the mill’s black swifts.
Visitors will be able to visually see the progress of the restoration work (two façades have been completed and the other two are under construction).
They will have access to an exhibition along the towpath devoted to the history of the Mill, the restoration work and the measures taken to preserve the black swift colony.
The mill was selected in 2019, by the mission "heritage in danger" carried out by Stéphane Bern, as a networking project of the Mayenne.