Sucrerie de Francières

The Francières sugar factory is one of the oldest sugar factories in northern France. The first buildings, some of which are still visible today, were built by a local farmer, César Thirial, who ran the factory from 1829 to 1833. The sugar factory was bought by a wealthy sugar manufacturer, Louis Crespel-Dellisse, who made it an integral part of his factory network. It was then managed by several directors from 1859 to 1884 before being taken over by the companies that now own the site.Throughout its history, the factory has witnessed the major industrial, architectural and social developments of the 19th and 20th centuries, traces of which can still be seen today.

It contains a 34-metre-long brick chimney, several early 19th-century halls, two distilleries and the oldest lime kiln in Europe. Also visible are the owner's house, several Art Deco-style offices and the staff houses, which tell the story of the social life of the sugar factory and its hamlet.

Today, the factory is a Monument Historique, an official recognition as part of the cultural heritage. It is occupied by an interpretation centre for the sugar industry and agricultural resources, created by the ASSF and managed by the Planète Sciences Hauts-de-France association. Today, visitors can discover the history of the site, the sugar industry and the men and women who made it. The ASSF has also renovated several other rooms in the factory: the school, the chapel and the laboratory.