The French Revolution would transform the fate of Royaumont Abbey. Indeed, it was purchased in 1792 by the Marquis de Travanet who converted it into a cotton mill. Three hundred workers would then destroy the abbey church to build their houses with the stones. The old monastery buildings were then adapted to accommodate machinery and almost all the Gothic vaults were removed. A water wheel with a diameter of 6 metres was installed in the middle of the monks’ building (photo) to provide energy for the machines. A small canal was drilled to supply it and a second wheel was installed in the former latrines. The canal is still visible today from the entrance.