The Moulin de la Petite Bavouze, heritage witness of a milling tradition on the Mayenne
Emblematic of the canalized river in the 19th century, the Moulin de la Petite Bavouze stopped producing flour in 1999. Restored by its owners, it is reborn from its wasteland and hosts, on the occasion of the European Heritage Days, a photography exhibition entitled "Abandonment and excess".
"Abandonment and excess": the contrast between industrial wasteland and architectural prowess in a photography exhibition
Michel Maussion, amateur photographer, member of the photo club Kiosque à images de Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne, makes us observe, in a photography exhibition, the striking contrast between the industrial wastelands of the former foundry of Port-Shines in Mayenne and the architectural prowess that are the towers of the business district of La Défense in Paris.
The Moulin de la Petite Bavouze, industrial and river heritage of the Mayenne
The Moulin de la Petite Bavouze used the power 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 (the four façades, the stairs, the frame and the roof have been restored) and access the ground floor and the 1st floor of the mill.
An exhibition along the towpath will be 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.