Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The windmill of Chesnay, located in Moutiers (Eure-et-Loir), is an emblematic building of the 3rd quarter of the 18th century. This archaic beauceron mill is distinguished by its absence of a turret in masonry, resting on four were anchored in stone blocks. Its swivel structure, operated manually via a wooden tail, allows it to orient itself facing the wind. The rectangular tower, in vertical wood slate, is covered by a two-slope roof and houses two floors: a storey on the ground floor and a complete oak mechanism on the upper floor.

The technical system of the mill is entirely oak, including gears, axes and wing brake. The latter, without canvas, are equipped with articulated wooden blades, actuable from inside. Access is via a solid staircase of the tail, while a ladder and a hatch lead to the mechanism. Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 26 July 1988, this mill illustrates the ingenuity of pre-industrial techniques and local craftsmanship.

The location of the mill, although documented (address: 78 Jeu de Paume, Moutiers), remains approximate according to available sources, with an accuracy estimated at 6/10. This rural heritage reflects the agricultural and milling activities of the Beauce, a grain region where windmills played a central role in the local economy before mechanization. Its preserved architecture makes it a rare specimen, representative of the traditional mills of Centre-Val de Loire.

External links