Le Belvédère du Monbula
The forges of l’Ouzom, consuming large amounts of charcoal, used some hundreds of hectares of forests every year. Colliers used to work in the forest, as closely as possible to the resource. They built stacks of wood that they burnt, covering them with dirt, so that they could burn without air.
The forges of l’Ouzom, consuming large amounts of charcoal, used some hundreds of hectares of forests every year. Colliers used to work in the forest, as closely as possible to the resource. They built stacks of wood that they burnt, covering them with dirt, so that they could burn without air. During the 19th century, it was the turn of movable metal kilns, which also enabled the recovery of tar. These large, lidded cauldrons were, in the case of those of Monbula, carried up, whole, on men’s backs as well as rolled on logs. Some elders can still remember the exploit!
