Crédits photo
- Melun Val de Seine Tourist Office
- Ville de Melun Val de Seine
- Julien Meneret
- Didier Paris
- Collectif Images
- Alticlic
- Pascal Gaël
- Jérome Mignon
- Michel d’Anastasio
- Frederic Miel
- Sophie Loyd
- Thierry Benne
Leroy, Europe's leading wallpaper manufacturer, was based in Ponthierry from 1912 to 1982 and contributed to the town's economic development.
The factory's former power station, which has been converted into a cultural space since 2011, bears witness to this flourishing industrial past.
The machine room has become a place of remembrance. The proximity of the Seine, the railway and the main road had a major influence on the choice of site for the factory. By mechanising its production, the factory democratised the use of wallpaper, which until then had been considered a luxury product.
The company was more than just an economic engine for the town, with 600 employees producing up to 100,000 rolls of wallpaper a day on the 26-colour machine.
The Leroy family had the Leroy housing estates built to accommodate workers and managers, as well as a dispensary (now the Gâtinais municipal health centre).
They also set up a mutual insurance scheme, a brass band for local residents and a football club.
During the Second World War, the factory was requisitioned by the occupying forces to build aircraft engines and, on 1 August 1944, it was heavily bombed by Allied troops. The site, designed by the famous architect Paul Friesé, still bears important witness to its past activities, including thermal generators and a 26-colour printing press, both of which are listed as Historic Monuments.
© OTMVS
© OTMVS
All year round
Opening hours on Wednesday between 2 pm and 6 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Full price: 5.25 €
Adult: 3.70 €.
Free entry for children < 7 years, teachers.