The ford case
There was a wheat mill built without permission, little used because at that time the flow of the river was too low.
When Pierre Menet acquired it in 1805 in order to exploit it, he had no knowledge of the controversy he would set off and the obstacles he would encounter.
His project was located about 500 m downstream from the Cailly ford in the centre of the village, the only passage designed to cross the river on dry foot.
The Cailly is not a peaceful river and the village is often invaded by floods that can be very destructive.
The water height of the mill was low, too, so in order to increase the efficiency of the wheel, its operation required the installation of a system of valves to raise the water level.
This construction project was seen as an obstacle to the flow of water and thus reinforced the fears of the inhabitants.
The Prefect asked engineer Boullenger to carry out an expertise.
In view of the plans and studies carried out, the risks of flooding the houses of the village being considered null and void, the expert gave a favourable opinion to the construction of the mill.
Faced with the protests of prominent citizens, and at odds with the expertise he himself had requested, the prefect did not authorize the project.
The case was not left there. Pierre Menet attempted an appeal to Emperor Napoleon I.
The prefect was disowned. The right to build was granted in October 1808.
20 years later, the mill no longer appeared on the Napoleonic land registry...