Poudrerie nationale de Sevran-Livry

The powder mill is a large industrial complex with multiple buildings from the 1860s connected by bridges and equipped with steam-powered machinery for production. The different workshops and facilities spread across the grounds reveal how a factory of that era was organized and operated.

Emperor Napoleon III approved the construction of this powder factory in 1865, choosing the location for its access to canal and railway transport. The buildings were erected between 1867 and 1873, making it one of the major arms production centers of the region.

The site now hosts a museum dedicated to gunpowder production history, displaying equipment and objects that show how workers handled dangerous materials in past decades. You can walk through spaces that reveal the techniques and daily challenges of industrial arms manufacturing.

The museum is open for guided visits Monday through Friday with advance registration required, and also opens Sunday afternoons except during summer months. Check ahead before visiting since access is limited and special arrangements may be needed for group tours.

Each production unit was surrounded by earthen barriers called merlons, designed to contain explosions and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the facility. This early safety measure shows how workers protected themselves when handling highly explosive materials.