Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The windmill of Paradise, originally located at the place called Le Paradis in Sancheville (Eure-et-Loir), was erected during the first half of the 18th century. This iconic monument, classified among the Windmills of Beauce, illustrates rural architecture and milling techniques of the period. Its internal mechanism, particularly well preserved, includes a pivot reinforced by false feet, a wooden cylindrical bumblebee, and a ball regulator to adjust the wheel spacing. Unlike the traditional mills in the region, its milling and milling are located on the same floor, reflecting a local technical adaptation.

In the 19th century, the mill underwent a major restoration, including the addition of Berton wings after 1860, an innovation allowing better control of the speed of rotation. These wings, composed of moving planks, were connected to a metal shaft and a wooden wheel on the second floor. The transmission of the movement was based on an inner toothed crown with a pinion, while a brake was used to moderate the speed. These technical developments reflect the evolution of the mills towards greater mechanization during the industrial revolution.

In 1991, the mill was donated to the municipality of Sancheville by a private owner and then moved from Le Paradis to Sainte-Marie for reasons of preservation. This relocation, formalized by a protection order in 1988 (amended in 1996), has safeguarded all its mechanism, now communal property. The site, although not accessible in terms of precise location (level 6/10), remains a rare example of a functional and documented windmill, illustrating both the technical heritage and agricultural history of the Beauce.

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