Moidrey windmill

Moulin de Moidrey is a restored working windmill standing on a hilltop in Moidrey, a hamlet within the commune of Pontorson in Normandy, just a few kilometres from the famous Mont-Saint-Michel.

Where does the windmill stand, and why here?

Moulin de Moidrey sits atop a small hill roughly 44 metres high, on the Route des Moulins in Moidrey (postal code 50170 Pontorson). The spot was chosen deliberately: mills were built on rises so their sails could catch the wind blowing in off the bay. Today the same position gives visitors a sweeping view over the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the surrounding polders — land reclaimed from the sea and drained for farming. Mont-Saint-Michel itself is only about 5 kilometres away, which is why many visitors combine a stop at the mill with their trip to the abbey.

What is the history behind it?

The windmill was built in 1806 and for decades served local farmers, grinding grain into flour. Milling continued until the early 20th century, after which the building was repurposed as a hay barn. It kept that role until the end of the Second World War, then stood abandoned, gradually falling into disrepair. Restoration took place in 2003, when the wooden gearing and stone millstones were brought back into working order — so today the mill genuinely grinds grain rather than serving as a static display piece.

What can you see during a visit?

Tours are led by the miller in person, who explains how the mechanism works and recounts the building's history — a guided visit lasts about 35 minutes and, according to visitors, is delivered with plenty of passion and humour. During the tour you can watch the wooden gears and stone millstones turning as flour is actually milled. The mill produces flour from a range of grains and crops: wheat, buckwheat, rye and, depending on the season, corn, rice, oats, barley, chestnut, and organic wheat and spelt varieties. The flour is sold on site, giving visitors a natural way to round off their visit.

How much does it cost and how do you get there?

Admission is modest — indicatively around 5 euros for adults and 3 euros for students and children (with young children under 6 usually free), though it's worth checking current prices before visiting since they can change. The address is 35 route des Moulins, Moidrey, 50170 Pontorson. The mill sits along walking and cycling routes around the bay, so it fits naturally into a longer day of exploring the area rather than being just a quick stop.

Who is this stop best suited for?

Moulin de Moidrey appeals to visitors who want to see a genuinely working piece of industrial heritage, not just a reconstructed facade. The short visit time and low ticket price make it easy to slot into a day built around Mont-Saint-Michel — particularly for families with children who enjoy seeing machinery actually in motion, and for anyone drawn to wide views over the bay and its polders.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a visit to the Moidrey windmill take? A guided tour led by the miller lasts about 35 minutes.

How far is the windmill from Mont-Saint-Michel? Moulin de Moidrey is about 5 kilometres from Mont-Saint-Michel, making it easy to combine both stops in a single day.

Does the windmill actually mill grain? Yes. Since its 2003 restoration, the wooden gearing and stone millstones have been back in working order, and the mill genuinely produces flour from wheat, buckwheat, rye and other grains, which is sold on site.

How old is the windmill? The building dates from 1806. It operated as a working grain mill until the early 20th century, then served as a hay barn until the end of World War II, before being restored and put back into operation in 2003.