Vensac is a charming little town in the Médoc Atlantique. With the freshness of its sea air, the purity of its nature and its great tranquility, this beautiful village has everything to please. Its authentic 19th century windmill makes it unique. This heritage in its own right was awarded an award during the “Masterpieces in Danger” television competition in 1985. A visit to this mill, still in operation, remains a must for any beautiful getaway to Vensac.
The Vensac mill and its history
The construction of this mill dates back to the 18th century. The building was then dismantled and transferred two kilometers further in 1858. It remains there to this day in the same location. The mill has benefited from a modernization, with the addition of buckets, a sieve and endless screws. It had different owners and was finally acquired in 1913 by a family, which still owns the property to this day. The building today belongs to Roland Piquemal, who restored it with the help of his grandfather in 1982-1983. The dilapidated parts were replaced identically, with the same wood (pine and oak) used in the 19th century. Those that were still functional were kept. Although the building ceased to function between the Second World War and the beginning of the 1980s, it is now in service and only produces flour in the presence of visitors.
Exploring this masterpiece
The discovery of this mill is a nice interlude to take a dip in the past. It allows, among other things, to return to the era of flour manufacturing thanks to windmills. Allow your children and grandchildren to discover this tool with its toothed wheel, its grinding wheels and its multiple cogs. Without forgetting its bucket belt and its blade, which is used to separate the flour from the bran. This time, now gone, will certainly surprise more than one person. The visit to the mill generally takes place in 30 minutes of explanations and demonstrations. The time needed for your guide to detail the flour production process. This visit will also allow you to see the transport of the crushed grains and the rotating power of the roof. Note that the latter can be turned so that the wings face the wind.
Visiting hours and prices
The Vensac mill offers half-hour guided and commented tours. For a child, the visit costs €3.50 and €4.50 for an adult. The building is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every day in July-August, weekends in June and September as well as Sunday afternoons and public holidays in April-May and October. The mill, however, remains accessible to groups every day, but by appointment. During this discovery, visitors have the opportunity to buy flour from the mill for some nice tasting moments once at home.
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