Places to visit Science and technology Pays De La Loire

Located just a few hundred metres from the viaduct in the direction of Change, the water plant is a building that deserves a detour. It is true that his inauguration on 29 May 1914 led to the arrival of a President of the Republic in Laval a few days before the outbreak of the first world war. That day, Lorrain Raymond Poincaré swallows a glass of ozonée water that he finds excellent. " He would have had bad luck in finding a poor water that he dégustait in the eye, writes a journalist at the time. If he became taxpayers, he would probably change his mind. " At present, this plant produces nearly 5 500 000 m ³ of water per year that it distributes to 83 000 people. Each year, the city of Laval sells about 1 200 000 m ³ of water to the 16 members of the C.R.U.E.L. (rural municipality users of water from Laval). The pumping capacity of the water plant is approximately 1 600 m ³/h with two pumps of 800 m ³/h each. The daily peak rate consumed on the city of Laval reaches 22 200 m ³/d.

The original square tower of this water mill is an eye-catcher, built at the beginning of the 20th century, andwas inspired by a stay in Italy by the owner at the time. And if you are wondering how a mill works, why not take the opportunity to visit it? Still in working order, he remains the only one to grind his grain thanks to the hydraulic energy he draws from the Mayenne River. During the visit, you will learn everything about the technique used for ages by millers. With its 7 m diameter paddle wheel, hydraulic turbine, 145 pulleys, 470 m of belts and manufacturing machines, wheat is transformed into flour in a more elaborate way than we can imagine. Since February 2007, the Chenillé-Changé mill has diversified its activities. In addition to the production of flour, which can be bought in the shop, it has caught up with modern times, becoming an electricity producer. An informative visit, we come out a little less stupid!