Ancienne papeterie de Chappes, Historic watermill and bed and breakfast in Chappes, France
Ancienne Papeterie de Chappes is a former paper mill housed in a stone building along the Seine river, containing water wheels and historic papermaking machinery still visible within its walls. The site has been adapted to accommodate guests in renovated rooms while retaining much of the original industrial structure and water-powered systems.
The mill was established by the Boulard family from 1675 onward and operated for nearly 3 centuries until the creation of Lake Orient in the 1960s altered the river's flow and water levels. This shift ended traditional paper production at the site, marking a major turning point in its story.
The mill reflects how people once produced paper using water and simple machinery in this part of France, keeping old craft knowledge alive through its visible equipment and design. Walking through the rooms, you can sense the connection between the river's flow and the work that once happened here daily.
The site welcomes overnight guests who can explore the watermill machinery and old industrial features while staying in renovated rooms throughout the building. It helps to spend time wandering through the different levels and spaces to fully understand how the structure connects to the river and operates as a whole.
After paper production stopped, the mill was renovated and converted into a guesthouse, yet it still uses the river's water to generate electricity that feeds into the French power grid. This blend of working watermill and modern accommodation is uncommon and gives the place a distinctive character.
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