Sluice Gate - Bayeux, France - Historic Hand Operated Sluice Gates on Waymarking.com

Two thousand years ago, the town of Bayeux was established on the western bank of the river Aure, now running through the city from the south to the north. From Gallo-Roman times to the beginning of the 20th century, a vast number of craft industries have grown up along its banks.

First, there was fishing. Part of the river, upstream of the lock gates, was thus set aside as a fishing reserve for the Bishop's exclusive use.

Those craft industries requiring vast amounts of water were also concentrated along the banks: dyers, tanners, laundries. The wash-house that can be seen from the d'Ornano car park, on the opposite river bank, still bears witness to these activities.

Finally, water was used as an energy source as hydraulic power for the various mills: flour mills, tannin mills or even colza oil mills.

In the Middle Ages, some of the mills, such as the one facing us, belonged to the Bishop of Bayeux who derived considerable income from them.

Name of Waterway.: Aure river Roughly when was the Waterway created?: 19th century Is this waterway working?: Working What is the condition of the sluice gate?: Reasonable What is/was the water used for?: Irrigation

Visit Instructions:
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