The historic Beuzeville cider house, now converted into a cultural centre
Beuzeville, in the heart of Normandy (France), stands out for its privileged strategic location and excellent communications. Recently, as part of a complex urban requalification and revitalisation project for the historic centre, the former cider and grain mill building has been renovated and converted into a multi-purpose cultural centre.
The architectural firm Sunmetron, in charge of the project and advised by a local historian, took into account the building’s significant past to carry out its remodelling. The building, which dates its construction to 1833, housed one of the first and most important cider factories in the Eure department, the Lemmonier cider factory. Later, in 1953, the building was converted into a grain mill, but after more than 50 years of activity, the building fell into disuse.
The municipality council, taking into account the great potential of the building and its historical background, decided to acquire it in 2015 to convert it into a cultural centre. The former cider factory was restored in the Normandy architectural style, but with a modern look in its renovation and layout. Thus, the building was divided into three levels: the basement, where the exhibition rooms and the museum are located; the main floor, with an auditorium and a room known as the “masks room”; and the upper floor where the covered foyer is located and where weekly markets and fairs are held.
The auditorium, equipped with Figueras seats, is located where the grain from the old factory was originally stored. The walls of this space are clad with an elegant finish in wood recovered from old pallets, providing excellent acoustic qualities to the hall and preserving the genuine character of the cider factory.
This ambitious project has succeeded in revitalising local commerce and reinforcing the cultural programme of this small French town.
