Presentation

History

Built in the 13e century on the river « Couze » expressly for paper making, the « Moulin de Larroque » belonged to the Pope Clement V archbishop of Bordeaux. A dozen mills were making hand made papers. With the industrial revolution, many mills ceased to turn, including Moulin de Larroque.

In 1972, Georges Duchêne bought the property, restored it and put it back into production. He gave this mill its international good reputation.

After 40 years Moulin de Larroque is still making natural papers for artistic techniques , watercolour, engraving, embossing, pastel, calligraphy, and framing. Some wellknown artists like Coignard, Leonor Fini, Alechinsky, Corneille, César… used these fine art papers.

The process of paper making

The « Dutch shredding machine », filled with water, is used to shred cotton waste between metal blades. Vegetal glue is added to make paper waterproof.

Each sheet is made by hand with a sieve plunged into the pulp, transferred to a felt screen, pressed then dispatch to the drier. Sometimes the paper is personalized with the signature or logo of an artist, this is a watermark

Each sheet is checked and cleaned before being laminated between metal rollers.

Items are made individually and personalized: photos album, sketchbooks, invitations, labels, packaging for perfume or wines...

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