Powered by nature's energy

Over the centuries, humans learnt how to use the elements to their advantage to transform grain into flour. The grain mill is a tool in which the motor (blades or wheels), under the influence of an external force (wind, water, muscular, etc.), operates the millstone, which crushes the grain.

The principle of using a millstone to grind grain had already been developed. The grain would be crushed on a flat stone that was fixed in place, thanks to the force of a round stone that was operated by a human.

These early mills, the remains of which can be found in museums, could be easily transported by ship to feed the crew, for example, or from one military camp to another.

Efforts by archaeologist have brought to light the partial ruins of mills found in Pompeii.

Their use was dependent on the pulling power of an animal.

These mills are confirmed to have been invented during Antiquity (in a treaty on architecture written by Vitruvius), but they became widespread during the Middle Ages. A number of water mills are still visible along the water's course.

Many have since been restored, and some now produce flour again, or hydroelectricity. They can be powered by a river, a diverted course of water, a pond, or more rarely, by an aqueduct.

The miller raises the sluice gate so that the water can start to turn the wheel of the mill. In turn, the wheel activates the millstone to grind the wheat.

The wheat grain is poured into a hopper, then through the turbine bucket, a small wooden chute, which, in a back-and-forth motion, causes the grain to fall between the millstones through the eye (the hole in the center of the millstone).

The grain is ground in this way and turned into flour which is poured out at the exit hole of the millstones and falls into the collecting tray before being put into sacks.

Tide mills work thanks to the power of the tides and are also a kind of water mill. At rising tide, the sea fills a reserve basin which holds the water at falling tide.

At low tide, the miller opens the reservoir sluice gates, and the water pours out into the sea causing the millwheel to turn as it passes!

Windmills first appeared in France at the start of the 12th century. The principle behind the windmill is to use the wind's energy to activate a mill.

The mill blades pull a motor shaft which spins a cogwheel equipped with wooden teeth.

This system of gears activates a gable that sets in motion the runner stone, which turns and presses into the bedstone (which doesn't turn).

The grain is crushed between the two millstones to produce a mixture of flour and bran.

Their silhouettes can be seen dotting the hillsides in windy coastal areas and in exposed valleys, on an artificial patch of land, or atop a wine cellar. They could be made of wood, stone or brick.

Some were even found on ships to feed the crew during sea voyages, as well as in fortifications surrounding settlements.

Brothers André and Pierre Astrié, from Tarn in the south of France, invented a small mill for peasant farmers in the 1950s.

Making up part of the landscape of a number of French regions, many mills have been restored or are currently undergoing restoration thanks to the work of charities or community intervention as part of touristic or cultural heritage projects.