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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The windmill of Frouville-Pensier, located in Ozoir-le-Breuil en Eure-et-Loir, is a historical monument whose presence has been attested since the 13th century. However, the current structure dates from the 2nd quarter of the 19th century. This mill tower is distinguished by its stone base and its stone walls, reinforced by harped chains and a central stone band. Plates engraved above the door indicate the year of construction and the name of the sponsor miller, although the latter is not mentioned in the available sources.

The roof of the mill, designed to rotate on rails, was initially used to steer the wings in the direction of the wind with a tail in the cap. At the end of the 19th century, this system was modernized by the addition of an inner orientation winch. Inside, three levels remain, connected by a staircase, thus retaining part of its original mechanism. The mill, with its rotation system and architectural elements, illustrates the evolution of milling techniques between the Middle Ages and the industrial era.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 4 July 1988, the mill of Frouville-Pensier includes in its protection its mechanism and its immediate environment (cadastre ZS 25). Although the sources do not specify its current state of visit or use, its location is considered satisfactory (level 7/10), and there remains a remarkable example of the rural and artisanal heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region. The photographs available, such as those of Laurent Froumenty under Creative Commons license, document its characteristic architecture.

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