This oven enclosed by a hexagonal bakehouse, is located at the corner of an orchard on the outskirts of Mézières-en-Brenne in the department of Indre.
The bakehouse consists if the six sided housing of the oven with a flared canopy over the loading opening.
Rear view of the bakehouse.
The walls are built from small field stones layed in clay mortar
The walls are built from small field stones layed in clay mortar
The roof and canopy structure are in oak clad with clay tiles.
The prepared wood load consists of thin branches and faggots.
The prepared wood load consists of thin branches and faggots.
The bake chamber is closed by a steel shield. The simple catch at the top holds the shield in place, preventing it from falling forward. To access the bake chamber the shield is pulled forwards from the bottom allowing the protruding bat at the top of the handle, to fall from the catch.
The Avaloir is in clay brick supported on an oak beam.
The lack of carbon deposit above the loading opening indicates years of disuse.
The lack of carbon deposit above the loading opening indicates years of disuse.
The vaulted bake chamber is of clay brick layed in clay mortar.
This type of vault is typical of the ovens found in Berry.
The hearth is of hand made clay tile.
Marcus Flynn
2009
