Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The windmill of La Paille, located in Bessac (Charente), is a round tower mill built between 1791 and 1792. It is distinguished by its exceptional state of conservation, with an intact structure and a conical roof in chestnut shingles recently renovated. Installed on an artificial terre, it was initially accompanied by a second mill dated 1755, today in ruins. Its mechanism, still partially visible, operated thanks to a wind-driven gear system: the wings rotated a tree inclined at 15°, which transmitted movement to the wheels via a wheel and a lantern. The miller adjusted the fineness of the milling by adjusting the spacing of the grinding wheels, while the flour was collected on the ground floor by a chute.

The mill retains many original elements, including the north door, the interior staircase, the grinding wheels and their stone support, as well as fragments of the tree and the guivre (orientation pole). The latter allowed the miller to manually orient the rotating roof to capture the wind. Ranked Historic Monument in 2002, the mill illustrates traditional milling techniques of the late eighteenth century. His identified architect or contractor is Pierre Glemet, although little additional information is available on his specific role.

The site, although protected, does not have a precise GPS location (level of accuracy estimated at 5/10). The photographs available, such as Rosier's under Creative Commons license, show an emblematic building of Charentais rural heritage. No information is provided on its current access to the public, whether visitation, rental or accommodation.

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