La poudrerie de Vonges

It was founded in 1691 by Louis XIV, who wanted to have enough gunpowder for artillery without having to import it. Vonges was just a tiny village at the time.

The gunpowder factory covered 16 hectares along the River Bèze. It included two powder mills, a granary, a winter dryer and a refinery. Today, the poudrerie is privately owned and covers 307 hectares.