The moulin du Got in Saint-Léonard de Noblat
Hello to all who are curious! It's Julie, here. I hope you had a good Easter and that you didn't eat too much chocolate... For this new number I'm taking you to Saint-Léonard de Noblat. Not for a trek along the Compostela route or to devour some inimitable Massepain, but to discover or re-discover the Moulin du Got.
The Paper Mill, the whole story
For those who don't know, we're really lucky here in the Haute-Vienne to have a genuine paper mill that's still producing. This 16th century edifice is the last 'survivor' of a multitude of paper mills that were present along the Vienne. After a break of a few years, the "Moulin du Got" non-profit organisation revivied its activity in order to save ancient paper-making and printing techniques.
The visit allows you to discover paper-making techniques using cotton and linen (vegetable fibres) and also a paper press with machines dating from the era of the first mechanical presses.
Behind the scenes of printing
I was particularly impressed by the type cases that contain almost as many characters as you would find fonts in Word... For every printing, the words and sentences are assembled by hand. A gigantic task.
Then the machine impresses the letters, words and sentences on the paper that tells its story.
If, like me, you love paper and the printed word (ah yes, a tablet isn't everything) this visit's for you. You'll also be happy to find several models available in the boutique… perhaps ideas for your invitations and greeting cards.
2016 Exhibition
For those who already know the Moulin du Got, I invite you to rediscover it with their new exhibition "Paper garden: let the fibre be with you!" an entire programme!
Contact:
Le Moulin du Got - Living museum of paper and printing
Le Pénitent, 87400 Saint-Léonard de Noblat
Tel: 05.55.57.18.74
Fax: 05.55.57.18.72
Website: www.moulindugot.com
Article written by Julie Froment-Fages by Haute-Vienne Tourisme.