The Château des Forges is located in the commune of Pesmes, in the Haute-Saône department, 18 km northeast of Auxonne.
This is the former residence of the ironworks masters. These were created around 1660 to develop local iron ore by taking advantage of the hydraulic energy available thanks to the course of the Ognon.
The industrial site, to the northwest of the medieval village now labeled "Most beautiful village in France" produced cannon balls, high quality cast iron, hand tools (pruners, pliers, hammers, etc.) exported in the whole world. Activity there ceased at the end of the 20th century.
The castle itself was built after the Revolution, in the last years of the 18th century, in a wing of the industrial site which had been destroyed and some of the materials were sold at auction.
The neoclassical style home had an orangery in the park surrounding it, which was enclosed by walls and an access gate. Elements of the interior decor (ceiling, cornice of the dining room, 19th century parquet floors) also justified the inclusion of the castle in the Inventory.
The castle neighbors the old workshops, which now house a museum which evokes the history of the place, the daily life of the workers and the operation of some machines. An association also organizes exhibitions and shows there.
The property is still private but the exteriors are accessible to the public, and part of the interiors are open to visits on request.
Information at the museum on +33 6 79 85 59 87 or at the tourist office on +33 3 84 65 18 15.
