Glacière d'Étel, Industrial heritage building in Étel, France
The Glacière d'Étel is an ice production facility in Étel with two parallel sections marked by barrel-vaulted roofs, built from reinforced concrete and concrete blocks near the harbor. The structure stretches about 40 meters long and displays the typical design of post-war industrial cold storage buildings.
The facility was built in 1946 as an ice factory capable of producing up to 60 tonnes of ice daily, mainly to preserve fish catches, particularly tuna, for the local fishing fleet. The plant operated during the peak years of Brittany's fishing industry.
The building shows the maritime industrial past of Brittany and houses the Tuna Museum alongside exhibitions about ocean conservation. Visitors can see how fishing shaped the region's economy and daily life.
The building is currently undergoing renovation work and visitor access is limited during this period. Once the work is finished, it will serve as a tourist information point and museum, making it easier to visit.
The curved roofs were retrofitted with biodegradable solar panels developed in Nantes, generating power for municipal buildings in the area. This innovative energy system shows how old industrial buildings can be adapted for sustainable use.
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