Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Tour du Moulin de l'École, located in Pernes-les-Fontaines in the Vaucluse, is a medieval building built in the second half of the 12th century. Although its architecture reflects a residential character of the early 13th century, it was probably part of a larger residence, now extinct. Its history is marked by successive transformations, reflecting the changing needs of the local community.

At the beginning of the 14th century, the tower was acquired by the municipality of Pernes to become the common house, associated with a hospital building. An interior rearrangement, including an intermediate floor, is then carried out. This change of function illustrates its growing importance in the civic and social life of the city.

It was only in the 17th century that the tower was converted into a mill, taking the name Moulin des écoles. The council kept a meeting room there until 1619. Its use as an oil mill, until the French Revolution, partially changed its structure, notably through breakthroughs in masonry. These adjustments demonstrate its economic role in local production.

In 1975, the creation of the Place des Counts de Toulouse, by the destruction of adjacent buildings, unlocked the tower and altered its immediate environment. This late urban project highlights its historical heritage, until then partially masked. The tower was finally listed as a historic monument on 15 January 2013, recognizing its architectural value and multifunctional past.

Completely built in stone, the tower is distinguished by its first floor room, with a 7-metre high ceiling. This architectural detail highlights its noble origin and its initial use, probably linked to a local elite or a municipal institution.

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