In France, certain regions are particularly well known for their landscapes of large cereal fields and, in places, large windmills. In the past, Île-de-France was France's breadbasket, one of the country's most important grain-growing plains. This can be seen in a number of historic monuments, preserved to bear witness to this agricultural past.
Such is the case in Montfermeil, where the Moulin de Sempin, named after the quarry on which it stands, has been in operation since 1742. Built under Louis XV le Bien-Aimé, with the miller's house next door, it was seized as national property during the Revolution. In 1850, it milled for the last time.
In 1976, the"Association de Sauvegarde du Moulin de Montfermeil " was founded: in the meantime, the building had deteriorated considerably, threatening to collapse on numerous occasions. The association (chaired by Gilbert Eschylle and Jean-Pierre Hay, pictured below) embarked on a major restoration program, with the help of the Montfermeil town council and the Conseil général de Seine-Saint-Denis, among others. The mill became operational again in 1988, having been rebuilt on sound ground, where there was no risk of collapse, and surrounded by an attractive park planted with trees, the Parc Jean-Pierre Josseaume. Since November 2023, the mill has been undergoing further restoration work, with the official reopening to the general public scheduled for April 2025.
The mill now produces flour fit for consumption, and a miller comes every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to grind the grain, which is then used to make bread by several local bakeries. Ground by two huge millstones, the flour passes through the mill's floors - literally, the grist falls, before being sifted - to arrive directly in sacks on the first floor.
After a behind-the-scenes look at the mill, take a tour of the miller's house, the mill museum featuring a variety of artifacts and old appliances.
The mill is open all week (Monday to Saturday, all year round) to groups (minimum 10 people), and on Sundays (3pm to 6pm) and public holidays (April 1 and November 11 only) to the general public. Each year, the mill closes from November 11th to early April for the winter season. Visits are free for the general public, so if you'd like to support the mill and the volunteer association that runs it, memberships are particularly welcome.
Once you've discovered the Moulin, don't miss the Jean-Pierre Josseaume park, where a small educational farm is due to open soon!
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.
Dates and Opening Time
From April 6, 2025 to November 5, 2028
Sunday:
open
Location
Montfermeil Mill
136 Rue des Moulins
93370 Montfermeil
Official website
moulindemontfermeil.com
