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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The windmill of Frucourt, built in 1641 on the heights of the village, is a rare example of a 17th century fortified mill. Built in bricks with walls of 1.80 m thick, it was designed to withstand the Spanish invasions of the time. Its doors were topped with mâchicoulis, and black varnished bricks still adorn its facades. A stone carries the erased coat of arms of the Montemer family, local lords, while a sundial remains on another stone.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 17 April 1931, the mill was in ruins before its complete restoration between 2004 and 2007. The Frucourt Fortified Mill Association conducted the work, rebuilding the roof, wings, floors and milling mechanism. In 2007, the project was awarded the Les Rubans du Patrimoine award, highlighting the quality of its preservation.

Located on the road to Citernes, south of Frucourt (Somme), this mill illustrates the defensive and agricultural architecture of Hauts-de-France. Its decreasing diameter up and its details like the varnished bricks make it a unique testimony to the rural and military history of the region. Sources also mention its precise location via the Merimée database and photographic references under Creative Commons license.

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