Defrenne Windmill

Moulin Defrenne is a historic windmill standing in Grand-Leez, a village within the municipality of Gembloux in the province of Namur, Belgium. It ranks among the few working windmills left in Wallonia — and it holds the distinction of being the last operating windmill in the entire province of Namur.

How did this mill come to be?

The windmill was built in 1830 for Charles Sevrin and his wife Julienne Heurion, both natives of Grand-Leez. Ownership passed through different hands until 27 July 1870, when Charles Defrenne and his wife Anne-Joseph Hemptinne purchased the mill and its land for 8,440 francs. It's from this family that the mill takes the name it still carries today, and it's successive generations of the Defrenne family who, for over a century and a half, have kept its sails turning.

What does it look like, and how does it work?

Moulin Defrenne has a circular, tapering shape, roughly 12 metres in diameter at its base. The walls are built of whitewashed brick, pierced by several rectangular openings, and topped with a rounded roof. Like any traditional windmill, the wind drove the sails, which in turn powered a system of wooden gears connected to circular millstones — for decades, this mechanism ground wheat into flour.

What has survived the passage of time?

The mill's history hasn't been without setbacks. In 1903, a fire destroyed the original sails, which were later replaced with components sourced from the Campine region. Another pivotal chapter came between 1984 and 1991, when the building underwent a major restoration, largely funded by public money. That work ensured the mill remained fit for continued operation rather than becoming a mere museum piece.

Why is this site protected?

The mill's historical and technical value was recognised early on: on 17 October 1962, Moulin Defrenne, along with its full mechanism, was officially classified as a historic monument. Recognition didn't stop there — in 2016, the site was added to Wallonia's list of exceptional heritage (patrimoine exceptionnel de Wallonie), placing it among the most valued landmarks in this part of Belgium.

What makes this windmill stand out?

What sets Moulin Defrenne apart from many other preserved windmills in the region is that it is still in operation. Thanks to the determination of the Defrenne family, who across generations never let the sails stand still, the mill remains a living testament to traditional milling craft rather than just a decorative fixture in the landscape.

Frequently asked questions

When was Moulin Defrenne built? The windmill was constructed in 1830 for Charles Sevrin and Julienne Heurion.

Where does the mill's name come from? From the Defrenne family, who bought the property in 1870 and have kept it running ever since.

Is the windmill still operational? Yes — it is the last working windmill in the province of Namur.

Is Moulin Defrenne a protected monument? Yes, it was classified as a historic monument in 1962 and recognised as exceptional heritage of Wallonia in 2016.

Where exactly is the mill located? In Grand-Leez, a village within the municipality of Gembloux, in the province of Namur, Belgium.