Impéria automobile factory
Built in 1907, the Imperia car factory still dominates the village of Nessonvaux. It was established in the valley of the Vesdre by the Belgian engineer Adrien Piedboeuf who invented one of the first hybrid car engines as well as the electric cigarette lighter.
The factory originally tested its cars on local roads, but people started to complain.
The owner then came up with the original idea of building a test track on the factory roof, a few years before Fiat built its famous rooftop track in Turin.
Ok thats where the story of this place ends, or begins as it is for me.
My second of 3 euro road trips this yr (I know Im a lucky bastard but u know u get to that stage in life) was a 8 day epic mostly solo trip with over 45 explores so its difficult to know where to start but this one was just another pin on a map for me, I had no idea about the history mentioned above & therefore neglected to get any pic of the remains of the test track but can assure you the track isnt much to see.
The rest of the site however is rather nice & its more recent history is more prominent.
The site appears to of been used by Lamy Groupe as one of their main offices & storage yards,
Founded by Mr José LAMY, this company of Liège origin has constantly developed and innovated in order to become a key player in its field.
Supported by his wife Irène and his sons José and Michel, both construction engineers, Mr. Lamy ensured the management and development of the group for many years. Today, the third generation of the family is at the head of the company: Jordane and Joan Lamy.
Surrounded by a team of dynamic and motivated specialists, they manage and coordinate the development of each group project.
In 2019 The Lamy Construction company presented to the population its preliminary project for the conversion of the former Imperia automobile factory. The land is located in an industrial zone: a file for recognition as a "site to be repurposed" has been submitted to the Walloon region, since it involves establishing around a hundred housing units. When the planning permission has been granted, the company Lamy Construction should move to Parc des Plenesses, where it has acquired a plot.
The development plan looks rather green. The desire is to create an open neighbourhood, with a breakthrough between the main road and the banks of the Vesdre, with a slow lane along the river. This is the start of the administrative process of the file: it remains to carry out the environmental impact studies. But from now on, the municipal administration of Trooz seems to be supporting the operation, which will probably take another two years to come to fruition.
Well here we are 5 yr on & I have no idea what has happened here other than not a lot, but what has been left is a better than expected mix of industrial goodness with a lot of paper work to rumage & a dumped 4x4 thrown in for good measures,. I enjoyed this place, hope u do too.
