Usine élévatoire des eaux, Pumping station factory in Trilbardou, France.
The Usine élévatoire des eaux is a 19th-century pumping factory in Trilbardou that lifts water from the Marne River into the Ourcq Canal. Its main feature is a large water wheel driven by a controlled waterfall, which powers the pumping system.
Built in 1865 under Napoleon III, the station was created to solve water supply problems that affected the Ourcq Canal after severe droughts. The project emerged from decades of water shortages that had challenged the region's development.
The station reflects how industrial engineers in the 1800s solved water problems for growing cities. Walking through, you see how people captured river flow and redirected it to where it was needed.
Access is limited to specific dates during the year, with guided tours available to see the machinery at work. It is helpful to plan ahead and check opening dates before visiting.
The original Sagebien machine from the 1800s remains on-site and showcases a remarkable example of hydraulic engineering from that era. Engineers traveled from across Europe to study this innovative design.
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