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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Windmill de la Croix, located in Saint-Thomas-de-Conac in Charente-Maritime, is an emblematic building of the early 19th century. Built in 1820 on a hill overlooking the vineyards, marshes and surrounding countryside, it embodies the typical architecture of the Charente mills. Its carefully cut, fast-jointed stone structure and slender conical roof, once covered with shingles, make it a remarkable example of a tower-type flour mill. This monument is distinguished by its circular lower room, accessible from the courtyard by a narrow corridor, and by its Berton wings, characteristic of the technical developments of the nineteenth century.

The mill of the Cross is the last to have operated in Charente-Maritime, preserving all its mechanisms and wheels, which illustrate technological progress from the mid-19th century to the early-20th century. It is listed in the historic monuments by order of 28 October 1996 and enjoys protection including both its structure, its mechanism and its lower hall (Cadastre B 1464). Today, although covered with pine from Canada, it remains generally in good condition and reflects the importance of mills in the local rural economy, particularly for flour production.

This mill is part of a landscape marked by agricultural activity, where windmills played a central role in the processing of cereals. The region, known for its vineyards and marshes, depended on this infrastructure to meet the needs of local populations. The mill of the Cross, thanks to its longevity and its state of conservation, offers a valuable overview of craft techniques and rural lifestyles in Charente-Maritime over the last two centuries.

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