Villeneuvette, Former royal textile factory in Hérault, France
Villeneuvette is a village near Lodève that was originally built as a textile production center. The settlement contains stone houses, factory buildings, and a central square with an 18th-century fountain and old plane trees that provide shade.
Minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert founded this settlement in 1677 under King Louis XIV to support French textile production and strengthen the nation's economy. The factory continued operating this industrial site until 1954, when production finally ended.
The village was named after a new settlement and designed as a factory community where workers and their families would live together. The buildings still reflect this intention today, with homes placed directly beside production areas and connecting people's daily lives to their work.
Visitors can explore the village freely and view the historic buildings and central square. For more detailed information about the industrial history and architecture, guided tours can be arranged through the local tourism office.
The village owes its creation and operation to a sophisticated network of water channels and hydraulic systems that powered the factory using energy from local streams. This engineering achievement allowed production to continue for centuries until mechanization reduced the need for water power.
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