Les Baraques du 14
Discover the last forest dwelling of the lumberjacks and charcoal burners who once populated the Chaux forest in this place steeped in history.
Since the Middle Ages, woodcutters and charcoal burners have exploited the wood in the Chaux forest. They lived and worked in the forest, supplying the Vieille-Loye glassworks and the royal saltworks, as well as furnaces, potteries, foundries, tile factories, etc. In 1830, there were some 600 woodcutters and charcoal burners living in small forest hamlets. They occupied 15 clearings, plots of land that housed dwellings, barns, bread ovens, vegetable gardens and so on.
Of these 15 plots, only one remains today: it still bears the number 14. After the Second World War, the forest hamlets were destroyed or abandoned. It wasn't until the 1990s that an association of enthusiasts re-established the Baraques du 14.
The site currently comprises :
Four wooden dwellings: the oldest dates back to 1537, while the others date back to the 1830s.
Two bread ovens
A water well
A vegetable garden
An apiary
Events and exhibitions are held throughout the year. You can also follow a trail leading to a charcoal factory. There are also two remarkable trees: a golden tree and a wishing oak over 250 years old.