Four à chaux du Port de Montru

Historic site and monument
Minor heritage
Industrial site

Le Montru, 44330 La Chapelle-Heulin

Four à chaux-mairie-chapelle-heulin — ©Office de tourisme du Vignoble de Nantes

four a chaux montru la chapelle heulin — ©Office de tourisme du Vignoble de Nantes

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The lime kiln was built in 1825 and remained in operation until the construction of the Divatte dyke in 1856, which made boating on the marsh impossible and caused the fires to be extinguished.

The lime kiln was built in 1825 by Mr Duhoux to meet farmers' demand. At the time, agricultural engineers were discovering that lime could be used to fertilise soil that was too acidic. In the vineyards, lime was spread on the vines to make the Muscadet or Gros Plant wine less acidic. In the mid-nineteenth century, this discovery led to the widespread use of lime as a soil improver. Lime kilns proliferated and lime production became industrialized. Lime was also used as cement in construction.
The port of Montru was a major trading centre: supplies of limestone from Liré and coal from Mouzeil were obtained by sailing on the Goulaine marshes and the Loire.

The limestone extracted from Liré was transported down the Loire and up the Goulaine by boat. It was unloaded at the "petit port", which has now been filled in, and hoisted by wheelbarrow to the top of the kiln. Activity was intense for 25 years. The département created the Port road in 1851. However, the construction of the Divatte dam condemned inland waterway transport on the marsh and caused the fires to be extinguished.
On site: rest area, picnic area. Departure point for walks|