Forge d'Ans, Historical smithy in Cubjac-Auvézère-Val d'Ans, France.
Forge d'Ans is a former metalworking site with multiple workshop buildings, blast furnaces, rolling mills, and a master's residence on the grounds. Some buildings connect through underground passages that include vaulted rooms and a historical kitchen with period features.
The site began as a metalworking operation in 1601 and shifted to cannon production for the royal military between 1691 and 1830. The finished cannons traveled by water to a nearby port before being shipped to naval bases.
The forge reflects the metalworking tradition that shaped the local economy for centuries and remains visible in how the buildings are arranged around the work areas. The layout shows how craftspeople organized their spaces to move efficiently between different stages of production.
The site is walkable with all main buildings connected by short paths across the property. Wear sturdy footwear since the ground is uneven in places and some areas have historic stone surfaces.
The underground rooms beneath the master's house feature barrel-vaulted ceilings and retain traces of their original purpose. This hidden network reveals how residential and work spaces were ingeniously layered together in a single structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
