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Museums. From Ambroise to Gabriel Barlier: a century of inventions for Fréland's Gyro Gearloose

Museums. From Ambroise to Gabriel Barlier: a century of inventions for Fréland's Gyro Gearloose

A daring tinkerer, brilliant hoarder, and witty inventor, Gabriel Barlier embodies both Fréland's Gyro Gearloose and a whole section of the memory of the small town nestled in the hills of the Welch region. His three small museums, including the Automates Museum, are celebrating their 40th anniversary this summer.
Gabriel Barlier's grandfather's forge has been preserved as it was for 140 years. It's also the only hydraulic forge that can still be admired in France. And it works! Photo Nicolas Pinot
Gabriel Barlier's grandfather's forge has been preserved as it was for 140 years. It's also the only hydraulic forge still standing in France. And it works! Photo Nicolas Pinot

His grandfather Ambroise was the blacksmith of Fréland 140 years ago. The workshop, however, has remained as it was.

There you can admire the only hydraulic forge remaining in France and when the large wheel turns and the jets of water gushes forth from the adjoining watercourse to which Ambroise had "bought back the right", the face of Gabriel, 84 years old, lights up.

Slates, “the internet of the time”

Moving mechanisms are a bit of a leitmotif in Gaby's museums . Whether it's this century-old forge with its improbable tools where hydraulic power drives a drill, saw, grinder, wagon wheel bender, power hammer and 30-volt dynamo, it's also here and around that Fréland's first light bulbs...

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Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace

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