Through its location, environment and architecture, the distillery forms a true link between rural and urban backdrops, only 10 kilometres from Fontainebleau. On one side, the building neighbours cultivated fields that cover the fertile plain on which it stands and where horses that graze underline the bucolic backdrop. On the other side, tall trees, through which morning sunlight shines, creates an enchanting atmosphere around the stone edifices. The distillery, built of burrstone, was made in the 19th century. It has four levels, each with a floor area of around 100m². Tall, straight windows bathe its interior in natural light. From the top of the building, you can admire far-reaching views of the cultivated fields. This vista is especially magical when the sun sets. Opposite the main edifice, there is a loading bay with a metal framework and a stone base. It offers a 125m² floor area. The property lies in a zone that can be built upon, so you can imagine a range of possibilities for development on the two sections of this cadastral plot. The whole site is connected to the water, electricity and gas networks. The distillery’s roof of flat tiles was renovated in 2017 and its court-facing elevation of stonework was revealed through a masterful removal of the rendering that covered it. Four floors were made with spaces for water outlets and electricity inlets. The buildings have been officially recognised for being remarkable. They form a gem of built heritage for the village and its surroundings.

The local history

The history of the village
Chailly-en-Bière is a rural village in France’s Seine-et-Marne department that is full of history. Its development is intimately tied to its closeness to Barbizon, a village known for the Barbizon School art movement. From its beginnings, Chailly-en-Bière was based mostly on agriculture. The majority of its inhabitants made a living from working in the fields and rearing livestock. This rural tradition continued even when the industrialisation of the 19th century had got underway. Despite the changes that this industrialisation brought and, indeed, despite modernisation in general, Chailly-en-Bière has kept its agricultural and architectural heritage. Its old cheese dairy, its distillery and its surrounding landscape, immortalised by the painters of the Barbizon School, all contribute to the preservation of this site’s rich past. Today, Chailly-en-Bière remains a living expression of those paintings that capture the village’s rural heritage and makes it a true place of interest, both for lovers of history and lovers of art.

The history of the cheese dairy
The old cheese dairy, an emblematic edifice of Chailly-en-Bière, dates back to the 15th century. Its history is closely tied to that of local lords and church institutions. Its name suggests that there was a cheese-making activity inside it in the past. Imposing vaulted cellars support this. Over the centuries, the property was handed down between different noble families, so it has undergone many transformations. In the 19th century, the cheese dairy included much ovine livestock and was known for its wide range of crops. The addition of its distillery considerably contributed to the place’s evolution.

The history of the distillery
In the mid-19th century, a beetroot distillery was built on the west side of the cheese dairy. This development marked a turning point in the economic history of Chailly-en-Bière. It remained operational up to 1939 and employed many inhabitants of the village. It adjoined a steam engine that not only provided the energy needed for the distillery but also provided the cheese dairy with electricity at a time when the rest of the village did not have electricity. The presence of this distillery probably encouraged beetroot cultivation in the region to diversify local agriculture. Paintings that depict this local agriculture represent an authentic rural life.

The edifices

The whole plot covers 1,053m². The buildings offer a floor area of 525m², spread over two distinct units: the loading dock and the distillery.

The distillery
The distillery has a cadastral area of 728m² with a total building floor area of around 355m² spread over three levels beneath a large wooden mezzanine with sloping attic ceilings. A paved and grassy court edges the building.

The loading dock
The loading dock is a technical space, historically associated with the distillery. It has a cadastral area of 325m². Its metal framework is bare today. It base, walls and small flight of steps are all made of stone.