Libourne: Mayor David Redon tells the story of the Moulin de Porchères

Table of Contents

• 1 Multiple owners
• 2 On the other side of the device
• 3 Where can you get the book?
• 4 Given the Moulin⁤ de Porchères’ long history intertwined with technological advancements, how has the mill both benefited from and adapted to⁤ changing socioeconomic landscapes in⁤ Libourne?

David Redon was 16-17 years old when he first joined Porchères Mill. “It was the mid 90’s, they were looking for someone to do tours around the place. » The teenager then develops an interest in local heritage and history. To the point of becoming, later and still today, the president of the Coutras Archaeological and Historical Research Group (Grahc) and of the association Vvons avec le moulin de Porchères, and even high- the society factor. Who better than to put on paper the long history of this building built in 1847. An industrial site that became one of the three most visited tourist sites in Libourne, with the Château de Vayres and the Petit train de Guîtres.

“At first, I told myself we needed a new look. Then finally, I also have a special memory and it is not useful to write what I know, to freeze the documents and stories I have collected. That will not hinder the vision of a later historian,” said the city councilor. He went back to his archives in September and, two months later, delivered “Le Moulin de Porchères. Poem -a business and human journey on the shores of the Island.” “I write a lot. I already have several books on loan. » This one is for the general public, with a lot of images and real history.

Multiple owners

The 180-page work is divided into three parts. The first is about the history of the river, before the mill was built. Two sides of the same story since then, let’s remember that the Porchères mill is a hydraulic mill. The second brings together several chapters dedicated to the different owners: it begins with Charles Froin who received permission from Louis-Philippe to build it in 1847; continues with Louis Barrau who develops the site especially when the electricity comes; followed by his son Paul Barrau who transformed it into a flour mill with important technological advances at the time, then his grandson Pierre Barrau who, in 1947, developed a sustainable process for the manufacture of livestock feed. In 1997, the site was taken over by Jean-Marin Dinghin who developed the tourist reception there before, in 2000, a fire ravaged a livestock feed factory. Two years later, for lack of an efficient economic model, he decided to stop the production of flour. After four years of closure. At a time where the mill suffered many damages.

On the other side of the device

It wasn’t until 2006 that Norbert Fradin, a real estate developer, bought it and renovated it. He is still the owner. Since 2008 and the creation of the mill association, several activities and events have been offered there: bread making workshop, water bike, pub, etc. of volunteers.

Finally, the third and final part reviews all the machines on this industrial site: sorting separator, hoppers, helical slide, wheat brush trimmer, cleaner … The history of the place inescapably intertwined with the history of the border: from the establishment of the Coutras-Périgueux railway line to the electrification of Saint-Seurin-sur-l’Isle, including the Second World War or the removal the Island with the waterways of France. A book that will delight people who love history and heritage and local children who want to immerse themselves in a time that those under the age of 20 cannot experience. In short, another idea to fill Santa’s bag.