The environment for students living between the Loir valley and Bercé forest- part 3

"The industrial legacy :
The industrial legacy is considerable in the Loir valley. Along 311km in the 4 departments (Eure et Loir, Loir et Cher, Sarthe, Maine et Loire) hydraulic power was indispensable for the paper mills, textile mills or canneries. In Château du Loir some indications still remain of the old gas factory (gas was produced from cal until 1962). In the same sector of Tivoli Road there was a mechanical construction company (Metal Box company) and a cannery.

The arrival of the railway profoundly changed the landscape et the junction odf Château du Loir, Vouvray and Nogent. Situated at the intersection of Le Mans-Tours and Paris-Bordeaux lines, rail traffic rapidly increased, necessitating the construction of new buildings.
Six paper mills can still be seen today. The oldest, at Poncé-sur-le-Loir, was partly constructed in the 18th century. Finally, traces remain in the valley of different activities which were closely linked : a network of canals was dug between 1840 and 1860 and many industries connected to limestone were developped..."

Survey realized by the historic worshop