From prehistoric times to the Channeltunnel, the Haute-Marne has alwaysbeen an iron-producing area...thanksto the trilogy: water, the driving forcefor water wheels, iron, with the oreshowing on the very surface of theplateaux or the valley sides and wood, from our forests whichprovided the charcoal. The region has always been among theleading producers, and indeed in 1850 it was the leader.
It was in the Blaise valley that the first ironworks were founded. It was in Cirey-sur-Blaise that Emilie du Châtelet and Voltaire,who were close to the Encyclopédistes, led a life both literaryand scientifi c, researching into the nature of fi re!It was in Saint-Dizier that the price of iron was fi xed in thelast century. It was the Val d’Osne that saw the creation of theartistic cast iron which was to decorate the whole world... Itwas again in Saint-Dizier that Guimard cast his Art Nouveauworks.It is in this region, between Joinville, Saint-Dizier and Bar-le-Ducthat high precision parts are still cast and machined: componentsfor the Channel tunnel, for the great Arch of la Défense,for hydraulics and road making, street furniture for the wholeworld: Wallace fountains, lighting columns, benches, drinkingfountains...We invite you to discover this tradition all along a tour that willtake you to old ironworks and works of art set in parks andvillage squares... Our guides will tell you all about cast iron andits techniques both old and new, and just what it meant to thelives of thousands of people. Statues, monuments, exhibitionsand places of remembrance await you. Bonne route!
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