Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Moulin Neuf d'Angrie, also known as Moulin de la Marmite, is a windmill whose truncated tower in schist bellows, 11 meters high, is mentioned as early as 1681. He was then part of the domain of the seigneury of Villegontier at Candé. Its initial structure, surmounted by a chestnut shingle cap, reflects the milling techniques of Anjou in the 17th century.

In the mid-19th century, around 1865, the mill was modernized with the addition of a floor and installation of 17-metre large Berton wings, characteristic of the technological innovations of the time. The brick berry frames, added in 1880, mark this uplifting campaign. In 1930, a 15-horsepower Ruston-Hornsby auxiliary engine, manufactured in England, was installed to complement wind power, illustrating the transition to mixed energies.

The mill ceased operation in 1952, but its mechanism — elm wheel, alluchon transmission, two pairs of grinding wheels and blutery — remained intact. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1975, it was completely restored in 1980, allowing its wings and machinery to be restored. Today, it is a rare example of an operational windmill combining architectural heritage and pre-industrial engineering.

Its cap rotation system, operated by a winch on the 3rd floor, and its ball regulator testify to the sophistication of the Angelian mills. The preservation of the Ruston-Hornsby engine and the original wheels makes it a key site for understanding the evolution of milling techniques between the 17th and 20th centuries.

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