Den Leeuw Meulen

Den Leeuw Meulen (Windmill of the Lion), also known in French as Moulin du Lion or Moulin Dendrael, stands at the edge of Pitgam in French Flanders, in the Nord department. It's one of the last surviving witnesses to a landscape that once counted its grain windmills in the hundreds.

Where does the name "Lion" come from?

"Leeuw" is Flemish for "lion," and the name has nothing to do with a coat of arms or a family crest — it comes from sound. Local tradition holds that when the mill ran at full speed, its sails and gearing produced a noise close to a lion's roar. The likely explanation lies in the machinery itself: the mill carried three pairs of millstones, an unusually heavy load for a windmill of this size, which meant a correspondingly loud and powerful transmission mechanism.

How old is the mill?

The date 1774, carved into the mill's main shaft, marks the year of construction — making Den Leeuw Meulen one of the oldest surviving windmills in French Flanders. Structurally it's a post mill (a pivot-type windmill), of modest, "standard" dimensions: roughly 5 metres long and 3.60 metres wide.

Who owned it over the centuries?

For more than 150 years the mill stayed in a single family — first Guillaume Delabaere (also recorded as de la Barre), then his descendants, right up to 1923. That year it passed to Lucien Dendrael, which is where its alternate name, Moulin Dendrael, comes from. The Dendrael family kept the mill running until Lucien's death in 1946.

What happened after it stopped milling?

Once the last miller had died, the windmill fell idle and began to deteriorate. It was listed as a village landmark in 1970, but that didn't stop the decline — the foundations and timber tower kept worsening. In the autumn of 1983 the mill's body collapsed outright. The miller's heirs then sold the ruins to the municipality of Pitgam.

How was it brought back?

The town opted for a full reconstruction. The rebuilding work, carried out under the supervision of ARAM Nord-Pas-de-Calais — an association dedicated to saving the region's windmills — ran from 1983 to 1988. By 1989 the mill was fully operational again, with rebuilt sails, restored gearing, and its three pairs of millstones once more capable of grinding flour.

Can visitors go inside today?

Yes. The windmill opens to visitors on the third Sunday of every month, from April to September, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Groups can arrange a visit at other times by appointment. It's a rare chance to see a working post-mill mechanism up close, including the millstones that still grind flour from grain.

Why make the stop in Pitgam?

Den Leeuw Meulen isn't just a piece of preserved machinery — it's a landmark for the whole area. The mill is visible from a distance across the flat farmland of French Flanders, and a local walking route (known as the "circuit du moulin") combines a visit with a short stroll through the village and surrounding fields. It makes a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the Bergues area and the wider Nord department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the "Lion" mill? Local tradition says the name comes from the roar-like noise the mill made when running at full speed, an effect linked to its unusually heavy set of three pairs of millstones.

When was Den Leeuw Meulen built? The construction date, 1774, is carved into the mill's shaft, making it one of the oldest surviving windmills in French Flanders.

Is the windmill still operational? Yes. After collapsing in 1983 and undergoing full reconstruction through 1988-1989, the mill is fully functional and can still grind flour using its three pairs of millstones.

When can you visit? The mill is open to visitors on the third Sunday of each month, April through September, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with groups able to arrange separate visits by appointment.