THE FACTORIES

It's a rare place to experiment with "working differently". The Les Usines project was conceived on the remains of the former Ligugé spinning mill (1856), a listed historic monument which, until the 1960s, was the second largest company in the Vienne region. In 2011, four acolytes bought the industrial wasteland, which had been abandoned for over 30 years and had survived demolition, to gradually (re)build a cross-disciplinary workspace where arts and crafts rub shoulders with the digital and environmental sectors. Bringing people together and sharing networks is the credo of the AY128 association. But Les Usines is also a place for individuals, and as a volunteer, you can take part in its rehabilitation, in the upkeep of the shared gardens, in the creation of new projects through working groups where a wide range of themes are addressed, and in accessing the training and services on offer (space rental, fablab, creative residency...). And to discover the fablab and its machines, there's no need to join. Just drop in on Tuesdays from 7pm to 10pm for open workshops. You're sure to learn a lot! Want to stock up on good organic and/or local produce? Visit the Marché des Usines every Friday from 5pm to 7pm.