Chocolat Aiguebelle - Donzère - Drôme, Fr - Iconic Factories on Waymarking.com

Fr
Situé à 15Km de Donzère, le monastère d'Aiguebelle fût construit en 1137 par des moines bénédictins qui ont pour règle la vie en autarcie. Au cours de nombreuses années, les activités se succèdent : culture, élevage, artisanat... et fabrication de chocolat vers 1869.

Sous l'impulsion du Père CHAUTARD, la chocolaterie prend de l'ampleur et se convertie en entreprise (S.A Chocolaterie Aiguebelle. Une implantation en dehors du monastère est décidé en 1891. Le site de Donzère est choisi pour sa proximité avec la rivière Trappe et la ligne de chemin de fer construite quelques années plus tôt.

L'usine est construite en 1895, sur 3 niveaux de 4100m², en forme de croix latine, en référence au catholicisme et une architecture très austère, ainsi qu'une grande cheminée décorée de bagues.
Les ouvriers, venus du village et des villages avoisinants sont logés sur place, ce qui explique la présence d'une cuisine, d'un réfectoire, de dortoirs... Toujours dans une démarche d'autarcie, des jardins potagers permettent de fournir fruits et légumes et les déchets alimentaires serviront à nourrir les cochons. Des vaches fournissent le lait et le fumier pour le jardin.

En 1901, le monastère se sépare de la société.

En 1941, durant la seconde guerre mondiale, Aiguebelle ouvre des succursales au Maroc et en Algérie pour pouvoir recevoir sucre et cacao qui manqueront sur le territoire français.

Après la guerre, le matériel se modernise entraînant de nombreux licenciements. En 1977, l'ensemble du personnel est licencié et le matériel transféré à St Etienne. En 1978 la chocolaterie d'Aiguebelle fermera ses portes définitivement alors qu'elle est la 8éme chocolaterie de France.

La succursale du Maroc continuera son activité sous le nom de Compagnie chérifienne de chocolat

Plusieurs années après, la mairie rachète le terrain et créé un parc d'activité qui renferme aujourd'hui plusieurs entreprises, une salle de spectacles, des salles de sport, salles de conférences, ...

Eng
Located 15Km from Donzère, the Aiguebelle monastery was built in 1137 by Benedictine monks who have a rule of life in autarky. During many years, the activities follow one another: culture, breeding, craft industry ... and manufacture of chocolate around 1869.

Under the impulse of Father CHAUTARD, the chocolate factory grew and became a business (SA Chocolaterie Aiguebelle. An establishment outside the monastery was decided in 1891. The site of Donzère was chosen for its proximity to the Trappe river and the railway line built a few years earlier.

The factory was built in 1895, on 3 levels of 4100m², in the shape of a Latin cross, in reference to Catholicism and a very austere architecture, as well as a large fireplace decorated with rings.
The workers, coming from the village and the neighboring villages are housed on site, which explains the presence of a kitchen, a refectory, dormitories ... Always in a self-sufficient approach, vegetable gardens provide fruit and vegetables and food waste will be used to feed the pigs. Cows provide milk and manure for the garden.

In 1901, the monastery separated from society.

In 1941, during the Second World War, Aiguebelle opened branches in Morocco and Algeria to be able to receive sugar and cocoa which will be lacking on French territory.

After the war, the equipment was modernized, leading to numerous layoffs. In 1977, all the staff were dismissed and the equipment transferred to St Etienne. In 1978 the chocolate factory of Aiguebelle will close its doors definitively whereas it is the 8th chocolate factory of France.

The branch in Morocco will continue its activity under the name of Compagnie chérifienne de chocolat

Several years later, the town hall bought the land and created an activity park which today contains several companies, a performance hall, sports halls, conference rooms, ...

Sources : explicativ pannel - Wikipedia

Product manufactured here: Chocolat Aiguebelle Address: Parc de la Chocolaterie Donzère, Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes France 26290 Web Page: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/10/2022 Vinceo visited it