Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The walnut oil mill of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is housed in a 15th century house, built of stone and wood panels, but profoundly redesigned over the centuries. This building, located in Place du Bessarel, houses a typical 19th century oil production mechanism, marked by a granite monolithic vertical millstone. This wheel, swivelling on a bed of stone, was operated by an animal (asse or horse) to grind the walnut kernels previously sorted and removed from their shells.

The paste obtained after grinding was then heated on low heat in a copper cauldron. After cooking, it was pressed under a five-metre-long press, with a cabestan screw and a beam with a pressure of about 30 tons. This press, probably located nearby (perhaps in Pavent), allowed to process about 20 kg of kernels per press. The mill, classified as Monument Historique in 1990, illustrates the artisanal oil production techniques still in use in the 19th century.

The site is now owned by the commune of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, in Tarn-et-Garonne (Occitanie region). Although its exact address is documented (place du Bessarel or 4 Rue du Timple), the accuracy of its geographical location is considered poor (note 5/10). The mill testifies to the economic importance of nut crops in this region, where oil processing was a major activity for local populations.

The structure thus combines two distinct epochs: a 15th century home, symbol of late medieval architecture, and 19th century industrial equipment, reflecting the evolution of agricultural techniques. Its classification in 1990 underlines its heritage value, both for its structure and for its mechanism, a rare example preserved of traditional oil mill in France.

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