First mention of mills 1433 (≈ 1433)
Two mills attested by texts.
1522
Production of animal feed
Production of animal feed 1522 (≈ 1522)
Manufacture of sheep milling.
1640-1763
Network extension
Network extension 1640-1763 (≈ 1702)
Construction of two additional mills.
1835
Three mills still active
Three mills still active 1835 (≈ 1835)
Reduction in the number of mills.
1955-1956
End of milling activity
End of milling activity 1955-1956 (≈ 1956)
Final closure of the last mills.
28 février 1997
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 28 février 1997 (≈ 1997)
Official protection of the hydraulic system.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The system consists of: the pond, the underground aqueduct connecting the pond to the castle park, the part of the aqueduct located under the castle park with the underground room, the forced drive linking the castle to the first mill, the first mill (façades and roofs) and its annexes, the underground network with its arches, the suite of the aqueduct and the two mills in ruins (see box). non-cadastre, public domain; I 377; AB 54, 52, 12, 408, 407, 409, 14, 17): entry by order of 28 February 1997
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character named in the sources
Local lords, unidentified, are supposed to be sponsors.
Origin and history
The medieval hydraulic system of Castelnau-Pegayrols, located in the department of Aveyron in the Occitanie region, is an ingenious system dating from at least the 15th century, although its origin may be older. It crosses the village thanks to a partially covered aqueduct, connecting an upper pond to the castle tank. This network had a quadruple function: to supply the castle with water to withstand the sieges, to provide water to the village, to operate four hydraulic mills (for the production of flour and oil), and to irrigate the agricultural land through diversions and a overflow.
The first texts mentioning this network date back to the 15th century, evoking two mills as early as 1433, then four between 1640 and 1763. These mills, located downstream of the castle tank, produced fine flour for human and animal feed, as well as oil. A 1522 document attests to the manufacture of a "livestock feed" from a coarse flour called "milling". In 1665, a compoix (cadastral register) described precisely the four mills, their adjoining houses, and the associated ponds, highlighting their economic and strategic value.
The canal, partly covered with slabs in the 18th century in the Grifoul district, continued to function until the middle of the 20th century. The three mills still in operation in 1835 ceased production around 1955-1956. One, the most upstream, was converted into a public toilet in 1984, while another, in the process of restoration, keeps a pair of grinding wheels inside. The third, downstream, is more than vestige. This network, owned by the municipality, was listed as historical monuments on 28 February 1997 for its exceptional character and partial conservation status.
The construction of this costly and complex network was probably initiated by the local lords, who derived revenues from it via " banalities" (taxes of use and maintenance) paid by the users. These trivialities reflect the economic and social importance of the system, which is entirely designed to meet the vital needs of the community: defence, food, artisanal production and agriculture. The 1997 registration covers the entire system, including the pond, underground and aerial parts of the water, mills and their annexes, as well as forced pipes.
Today, this hydraulic system shows medieval ingenuity in water and energy management, while illustrating the evolution of uses and techniques over more than five centuries. Its present state, between remains and partial restorations, offers a unique overview of the hydraulic know-how of the Rouergue, while posing the question of its preservation and its tourist or heritage value.
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