Lavoir des Chavannes, Industrial washing place in Montceau-les-Mines and Saint-Vallier, France
The Lavoir des Chavannes is a mineral processing facility in Montceau-les-Mines and Saint-Vallier equipped with eight processing lines arranged across a sprawling industrial site. The factory building displays early 20th-century industrial architecture with sturdy steel structures and brick construction typical of the era.
The facility was built in 1923 by engineers from Considère, Pelnard-Caquot et Cie for the Houillères de Blanzy mining company. It emerged during the region's coal mining boom and was designed to prepare raw coal for efficient distribution.
The facility represents the evolution of industrial practices in France, processing 1000 tons of coal per hour during its operational peak.
The site is accessible via coordinates 46.6604° N and 4.3436° E and sits near the town center of Montceau-les-Mines. The facility occupies a former industrial zone and can be viewed from the exterior, allowing visitors to appreciate the architectural scale from surrounding pathways.
The site houses one of France's last privately operated electrified railway networks, constructed in 1927 specifically for transporting raw and processed coal. This rail system, integral to the facility, represents a rare combination of industrial logistics and railway infrastructure from that era.
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