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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The windmill of Saint-Amans is an emblematic building located in the municipality of the same name, in the department of Aude, in the Occitanie region. This monument, which was listed as historical monuments in 1962, illustrates the traditional architecture of the Languedoc mills, with its truncated tower and conical two-layered roof. Its construction, in coated sandstone masonry, reflects the local techniques of the 19th century, when it seems to have been erected.

Lauragais, the area where Saint-Amans is located, was once marked by a high concentration of windmills, aligned on the hills to capture air currents. The mill, still with its four intact wings with oak and willow blades, was initially used to operate a small sawmill. Its mechanism and structure, characteristic of the buildings of this period, bear witness to the ingenuity of local craft techniques.

Unlike many mills in the region, the Saint-Amans mill has retained its original elements, including its single-plane blades and rotation system. Although its exact date of construction is not specified, its architectural style and materials suggest an origin after the 18th century, probably during the 19th century. This monument thus embodies an industrial and rural heritage still visible in the Occitan landscape.

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