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Origin and history

The Moulin de Beuvry, nicknamed Moulin du Ballon or Moulin Buret, is the last mill still standing in the village. Originally intended for milling wheat, it was built in the early 19th century to replace an old pivot mill destroyed by a storm. This hardwood mill served both milling and animal feed. It became property of the Buret family by inheritance, hence its present name. Its wings ceased to rotate in 1900, and its structure was used as a blockhouse during World War I, losing its wings.

The history of the site dates back to the 13th century, with a windmill located on the village mound, property of Mademoiselle de Ghistelles in the 18th century. In 1784, the Robert brothers landed near the mill with their balloon, an event attested by Prince Philippe de Ghistelles and his son, who organized festivals in their honour. The French Revolution led to the sale of the mill as Bien National in 1794 to Antoine Dhoudain. After several changes of owners, including the Vicoigne Mining Company, the municipality of Beuvry acquired it in 1983.

The mill was restored between 1985 and 1992 thanks to the association ARAM, with regional and departmental grants. The work allowed the reconstruction of the oak frame, the chestnut shingle cover (performed by Companions du Devoir), and the relocation of the wings and sails in 1991-1992. Ranked a historic monument in 1987, it now symbolizes the industrial and artisanal heritage of Hauts-de-France.

Architecturally, the mill rests on a sandstone base, with a 9.20 m diameter tower in red bricks and limestone bellows. Cultivating at 18.80 m, it operated two pairs of wheels of 2 m diameter. Its location near Ampère Street, at the limit of Labourse, is marked on the map of Cassini. The account of the landing of the Robert brothers, a landmark event of 1784, was recorded in the Journal Politique or Gazette des gazettes.

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