First mention of the mill 1548 (≈ 1548)
Building certified as an oil mill.
1758
Watermill lease
Watermill lease 1758 (≈ 1758)
Activities: oil and bleaching of canvases.
1820
Installation of boys' ovens
Installation of boys' ovens 1820 (≈ 1820)
Four buildings described in an act.
1863
Construction of drying hall
Construction of drying hall 1863 (≈ 1863)
Expansion of the industrial site.
1920
Conversion to ocre
Conversion to ocre 1920 (≈ 1920)
End of Garance Production.
1935
Permanent cessation of activity
Permanent cessation of activity 1935 (≈ 1935)
Closing of the factory.
2016
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 2016 (≈ 2016)
Protection of buildings and equipment.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
In total, the following parts of the former factory, known as the Gaffins Mill: the oven building, including the covered entrance on the ground floor and the traffic gallery on the first floor; the masonry beef; the millstone building; the hall (cf. A 460, 499), as represented in green hashish on the annexed plan: inscription by decree of 26 September 2016
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources do not mention any named actors.
Origin and history
The Gaffin mill, mentioned in 1548, was originally dedicated to oil production and bleaching of canvases. A lease of 1758 confirmed its use as a watermill, before the installation of the n-y garance ovens in 1820. Four buildings are then described: two pised ovens, a mill with six wheels, and a dwelling for the foreman. The site specializes in garance dyeing, used by the French army until the First World War.
In the 19th century, the estate expanded: the oven building was expanded, the millstones were doubled, and a drying hall was built in 1863. After 1896, the site was divided into lots and renovated around a private courtyard. The production rotated to the ochre in 1920, with grinding wheels and gluters installed in the old ovens. This activity ceased in 1935, marking the end of its industrial use.
Ranked a historic monument in 2016, the site retains some remarkable elements: the oven building with its traffic gallery, the masonry beef, the millstone building and the hall. These vestiges illustrate the evolution of industrial techniques in Provence, from garance to ocher, and their adaptation to local economic needs.
