Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Maves Mill is a rectangular prismatic windmill built in wood and covered with oak boards. Its roof, on a double slope, is composed of small slates, while its roofing is made of zinc. This type of construction, typical of traditional windmills, rests on a central axial pillar supporting the base plateau, surrounded by four false feet anchored to the ground. Although partially preserved, it still retains two of its original four wings, as well as its tail, a characteristic element of the windmills.

Inside, the mill houses a remarkably well-preserved set of mechanisms, including transmissions, grinding wheels and period operating systems. These technical elements, still in working order, bear witness to the ingenuity of the traditional milling mechanisms. The mill was included in the inventory of Historic Monuments by order of December 16, 1974, thus recognizing its heritage and architectural value.

Located in the commune of Maves, in the department of Loir-et-Cher (region Centre-Val de Loire), this mill illustrates the central role of windmills in the rural economy of the past. These structures served not only to grind grain for local communities, but also as visual cues in agricultural landscapes. Their decline in the 19th century coincided with industrialization and the gradual abandonment of craft techniques to mechanized mills.

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