Founded around 1830 by the Capitain brothers on the banks of the Marne, close to the iron ore deposits, the Bussy plant initially had a ramming mill, as well as a patouillet to work the ore extracted in the neighbouring commune of Thonnance-les-Joinville. The first blast furnace was built in 1836, and a second the following year. The plant then expanded rapidly thanks to the railway line from Blesmes to Gray.
In 1865, the plant was run by Edmond Capitain and his brother-in-law Hyacinthe Salin, who lived at the Château du Grand Jardin in Joinville, where he had carried out extensive work. The blast furnaces were finally shut down in 1901, but the business continued.
Along Avenue de Bussy, you'll find the workers' accommodation. The factory's owners, the Gény-Capitain couple, lived in the manor house, known as the "château", set back in a picturesque park.
Run by a descendant of the Ferry-Capitain family, the Bussy factory is still in operation and cannot be visited. Specialising in the casting of large iron or steel castings (including gear parts up to 12 m in diameter), this foundry is the largest in the Marne valley and employs around 400 people.
USINE DE BUSSY
