Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The mill of Bellerive, located in Cayrac in the current Occitanie region, was built in 1781 by Louis Martin de Bellerive. This three-level building, mainly built in brick masonry, is distinguished by its East facade decorated with two turrets and a sophisticated hydraulic system. Eight cutting stone forb batteries, combined with preserved tanks and tubes, demonstrate its original mechanism operated by horizontal wheels. The milling room, divided by massive pillars, once housed four pairs of grinding wheels, illustrating its central role in local flour production.

Inside, the ground floor and the first floor have a symmetrical structure: five stone pillars support the first floor floor, while three other pillars, at the upper level, carry the structure. The mill's activity finally ceased in 1911 after its carriageway broke, marking the end of its industrial use. Despite an attempt by the Association Midi-Pyrénées to rehabilitate the heritage in the 1980s – including the clearance of the surrounding areas and the partial restoration of the structure – the work was interrupted before the roof cover was completed.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 30 May 1989, the Bellerive Mill today embodies a remarkable architectural and technical heritage. Its partial state of preservation, with intact hydraulic elements and preserved internal structure, makes it a rare example of pre-industrial mills in southwestern France. The accuracy of its location, estimated at 8/10, and its official address (399 Chemin Bellerive) facilitate its identification in the Cayrac landscape.

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