Les Forges is one of the seven villages that, together with Paimpont itself, constitute the commune of Paimpont and, historically, the most important. For over 300 years, from the 17th c. until 1954 this village was the centre of mining and iron production on which the wealth of Paimpont was created.
Today the site is classified 'Monument Historique' and is, effectively. an industrial museum. I like the fact that this image taken today, could have been taken the day after the site closed... even the Citroën 2 CV parked in the yard is of the right period.
Like most monochrome images, this views better on black.
Outstanding, I knew it was yours as I scrolled recklessly down and this drew me up short, as your shots so often do. I may be drunk but have a fav anayway
Ooh, this is wonderful. Things that struck me as I looked at it the 1st time - the almost stacking roofs at the front and the 2CV! Then I looked further... fav
Ditto on most of the comments above. I'm always struck in the historic pictures by the lack of people. In fact, it couldn't be a photo from the old days (well, before it closed anyway) because one would expect it to be swarming with humanity.
@francoise Pictures taken before 1884 would have shown people outside the buildings because the two furnaces were still in operation producing iron. From 1884 until the site closed for good in 1954 they continued to manufacture goods in iron and wrought iron using raw material imported from elsewhere. It's true that old 'candid' photos show few people but exposure times were often measured in minutes so people on the move wouldn't have registered.
@yrhenwr Thanks David - there was actually another car a bit to the left of the 2CV, in front of the bushes, but that was a very recent model and spoilt the effect I was aiming for... so that one I did vaporise!
December 3rd, 2015
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