Filature, tissage et usine d'apprêt des étoffes de laine Petou, puis Sevestre, puis Bellest, puis Bellest Clarenson et Lebret SA, puis Clarenson.

English translation

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History

The construction of this woollen cloth factory dates to the 18th century. The timber-framed building which survives today, eighteen bays long, corresponds only to three-quarters of the original edifice. At the beginning of the 19th century, for the needs of production, the workshop is raised by a third storey and an attic floor. The factory is then the property of Georges-Paul Petou, manufacturer from Louviers, who becomes mayor of Elbeuf in 1823. Around 1840, a steam engine of 20 hp is installed in the eastern part of the building. A brick chimney, symbol of this new stage, is still visible. In 1853, when Edmond Bellest takes over the factory, 200 workers are employed there. In 1880, his successor, Henri Bellest, partners with MM. Clarenson and Lebret. Under their influence, the activity, until then confined to the manufacture of plain articles, is reoriented towards the production of so-called novelty fabrics. From 1918, Clarenson remains alone at the head of the factory, until its closure in April 1961. The western part of the building has been subject to conversion into dwellings, which is not entirely satisfactory. The eastern part of the factory, registered on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments, is undergoing rehabilitation.