HUILERIE

We came across this huilerie (oil manufacturers) in a very nondescript town of Brienon-sur-Armançon on the Canal de Bourgogne. Whilst the town was ordinary the Huilerie was literally unique, apparently the only one of it's type and age in France. Actually called 'Huilerie artisanale Suguenot-Schultz'. Originally when started in 1809 it was basically equipped . This was gradually improved and in 1886 it got the state of the art machinery at the time, which is still in place and working. Well as they say if it works don't fix it. This stuff works and works. It was in the same family until 2003, 6 generations, when it had a short period 'en silence' due to illness. It was then acquired by the current owner who has carried on the tradition.

The sign that drew us in.

The main mill, where 'le mulage' takes place.

Manufactured in 1886 weighing in at 4.5 tonnes of marble, 2.6m diameter, it's quite a sight. The mill crushes the walnuts, hazelnuts, rape, sunflower seeds, linseeds ...... before moving onto the presses to extract the oil.

The presses with the current owner.

The oils are then filtered, heat treated (wood fired of course), or whatever is required for a particular oil before bottling. I think the only charge since the 1800's is a credit card machine. The oil is lovely and the place fascinating. A working museum, that was never set up to be a museum.