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The Paradise of Machines
The museum
In August 2013, I decided to move from the Paris suburbs where I was living. Following an internet search for a large-scale building in southern France, I arrived in Graulhet, in a factory to be rehabilitated, built in 1955. The building was completely empty, there was no no machines inside. Between its industrial exploitation and my takeover, it was used as a sales warehouse for 30 years
A place full of folklore
Le Paradis des Machines is located in the former Breilhac factory, a building built in 1955 and conveying in its architecture the values ​​of the glorious post world war II era. The idea was then to build something solid, robust,. The buildings must last a long time because the era strongly believes in the future and the reputation of Made in France. Planned obsolescence was not a thing then... the building in the background had anchor points to extend it to the sidewalk.
The factory is located at 54, avenue Victor Hugo, one of the city’s main arteries. In the cemetery, the enormous family vault occupies one of the spaces on the main path. With enormous confidence, the Breilhac family marked, in life as in death, that they would be there for a long time.
there is always something to learn about people visiting a cemetery
.Antonin Breilhac, Industrial and his son Jean Breilhac Industrial
Industrial, a social marker, almost a noble title.
The only photo of the factory in operation.
It's the same in all the Graulhet factories, there are very few photos.
I met people that worked here and asked them if they had anything to tell about, generally 10 years of work was resumed up in 30 seconds. No anecdotes except that one time it was so cold that they installed a fire pit inside and there was carbon monoxide poisoning. No party souvenirs, farewell drinks, absolutly nothing.
Industrial activity ceased mid-1970s. The factory was occupied for 1 year by angry employees.
then it was Ventachoc. Ventachoc managers did not invest on building except minimal reparations.
In this photo we see the 3rd floor when I arrived,
everything was empty, in August, the temperature was 40 degrees celsius.
the sound reverberation did not allow to understand what someone was saying more than a meter away.
People were working there with sewing machines. There must have been an incredible buzzing sound.
what awful work conditions.
Today people would rightly refuse such working conditions.
a global renovation was necessary.
the building in 2024
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