Chantemerle : la construction d'un nouveau seuil, au service de la continuité écologique !

In Saint Didier de Forman, the community of Domsone Valley community acts to give life to the river of Forman. As often on our watercourses, an old threshold built here to feed the doves of the castle of Tannay prevented the circulation of sediments and fish. In 2025, the community of communes created a river of contour to restore the ecological continuity. The historical work is preserved, thus conciliating nature and heritage.

With the acquisition of the castle a few years ago, we also acquired the rights to water without knowing at all what it was about and what it was going to involve us in. The discussion with the community of two municipalities allowed us to understand the stakes of these works. The interest is the ecological continuity, to participate in the world in which we live, where there is less and less water, where water is very precious and it must be protected to the maximum.

This site perfectly illustrates the theme of water and men of the "Pays d'art et d'histoire" label. It should be noted that on our territory there are more than 30 mills and thresholds that testify to the central role of water in local history. The water maintenance in the Forman and in the Château de Tannay connects built heritage and modern management of rivers. We can thus give life to the fauna while preserving the traces of the past.

Maintaining these works allows us to become aware of the importance of water and its uses in the past. These are also themes that we can address during visits to the inhabitants and the curious, to better understand the history of water in our territory and its relationship with men.

All these works have allowed us to link the history of the castle and the history of the river and the threshold. The ecological continuity, contrary to what I feared, has allowed us to maintain the water in the castle, which is a historic and very important movement. I am absolutely delighted with the work that has been done. By preserving the water, we also protect our history, while allowing everyone to discover it.