Already classified as a historic monument, the Richard de Bas mill, located in Ambert in the Puy-de-Dôme, has just received the Living Heritage Company label. One more distinction for the mill.
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The good news arrived on August 10, in a letter from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery: the Richard de Bas mill, located in Ambert in the Puy-de-Dôme, has just been labeled Entreprise du living heritage. The mill has existed at least since the middle of the 15th century. It has been listed in the inventory of rare crafts since 2010. Sylvain Péraudeau, manager and co-owner of the mill, explains how he obtained the label: “ The mill is part of the “Entreprise et Découverte” association, which promotes company visits. Within the framework of this association, last year, we were able to obtain the “France savoir-faire d’excellence” label, awarded to the 100 best company visits in France. We had a reception in Paris, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When I was received in Paris under the golds of the Republic, I noticed that among the 100, I was one of the rare lame ducks not to be a Living Heritage Company at the same time. I then submitted my label request at the end of last year. We were audited over the winter and the mail just arrived ».
Expected benefits
This distinction rewards know-how. Its manager expects some fallout: “ We are a traditional paper manufacturing company, which can also be visited. Behind this designation of living heritage, this means that there is the notion of continuity of production, of visits that can be made. It’s a label that will undeniably bring us visibility. There are some advantages from a tax point of view and in terms of innovation. It allows above all to have a certain recognition at the level of the State on this company and the quality of the productions which are made “. He adds : ” Somewhere, I admit that personally for the company, the fact of being labeled represents a plus, if we need help, in relation to the crisis. But we did not submit the file with this in mind, of course. We did it for the purpose of recognition and promotion of the quality of our productions. ».
A longer term project
This recognition puts the mill well on its way to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sylvain Péraudeau points out: “ For 2 years we have been approached by other paper mills that manufacture paper in a traditional way, at European level. Now we are 4. The ultimate goal is within 2 or 3 years is to apply for a serial nomination. It is not the Richard de Bas mill that is asking for UNESCO classification on its own. It really is a group of mills “. In July, the site recorded slightly fewer visitors than last year. It had more visitors in August than last year. ” It won’t replace the spring shortfall. For April, May and June, we are at less than 40% of turnover. Usually we make 30,000 visitors a year and there we will lose a third of the annual attendance concludes the manager.
