The history of the Haute-Marne is closely linked to that of metallurgy, forging and foundry. Iron ore was omnipresent there and has been mined since prehistoric times. The numerous forests provided charcoal and the rivers were exploited for their motive power. After 1850, competition from coal and technical innovations forced Haute-Marne’s industrialists to turn to high value-added products such as cast iron and casting art. More recently, Haute-Marne has produced complicated parts for the Channel Tunnel, the Grande Arche de La Défense and the Millau Viaduct.