Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The windmill called Moulin d'Achille, located in Moringhem, Hauts-de-France, is a windmill built in the 18th century, after the abolition of privileges in 1799. It is distinguished by its rotating cap and white stone structure, culminating at 11 meters high. This monument is classified as a "revolutionary mill", a symbol of the political changes of the time, and operated until 1950. Its technical mechanism, still in place, includes three large wheels and an innovative steering system with cast iron rollers on rails, vertical and horizontal. It is the only stone mill of this restored period in the region.

The mill is surrounded by an enclosure bounded by a hedge and reaches an altitude of 104 meters. Its architecture and technical devices make it an exceptional testimony of milling engineering of the time. The site, including an underground, was listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments by order of 10 July 2015. The accuracy of its location is considered "a priori satisfactory", and it is referenced in the Mérimée database under the code Insee 62592, in the department of Pas-de-Calais.

Although the information on its current use (visits, rental, accommodation) is not specified, the Moulin d'Achille remains an emblematic heritage of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Its restoration and conservation illustrate the importance attached to the preservation of historical mills, symbols of the French industrial and rural heritage. The photographic credit is awarded to Pierre André under Creative Commons license, highlighting his documentary and cultural interest.

External links