Moulin à vent de Chesnay

The Moulin à vent de Chesnay is a wooden post mill standing on the edge of the village of Moutiers-en-Beauce, in the Eure-et-Loir department, amid the flat grain fields of the Beauce plain. It is one of the last surviving witnesses to an age when windmills like this one ground the region's wheat, and its whole-body rotating structure still draws visitors interested in rural architecture and agricultural history.

How old is this windmill?

The date 1770, carved into the sommière — the mill's main structural beam — marks when it was built. The mill originally stood on land belonging to a nearby estate called Le Chesnay, which gave it its name, and during the 19th century it was moved a short distance to its present site, roughly 800 metres from the centre of the village.

Why does it look different from a typical windmill?

This is an archaic Beauce-type post mill, without the masonry base tower found on Dutch-style mills. The entire rectangular wooden body rests on four angled braces set on stone blocks, and the whole structure can pivot around its post so the sails always face the wind. The miller adjusted this by hand, pushing a long wooden beam — the tail pole — around a circular stone track laid out around the building.

Another distinctive feature is the sails themselves: instead of the canvas typically stretched over a wooden frame, this mill uses hinged wooden slats that the miller opened and closed from inside the building to control how much wind drove the mechanism. Inside the two-storey timber tower sat the full gearing and the millstones, and in operation the mill could grind several hundred kilograms of flour a day.

Who worked this mill?

The mill is closely tied to Marcel Barbier, its last working miller and one of the best-known millers of the Beauce region — also a poet and songwriter, for whom tending the sails became a source of creative inspiration. After his death, his son took over the running of the family mill, continuing to look after its upkeep. Today a local heritage association is responsible for maintaining the building and opening it to visitors.

Can you visit the mill?

The Moulin de Chesnay has been a listed historic monument (monument historique) since 26 July 1988, and for years it opened to the public during the summer season, typically on Sundays and public holidays in the afternoon. In June 2025, a severe storm tore off the sails and damaged the top of the mill's main shaft; repairs are costly and still pending, though the site around the mill has continued to be accessible. Before visiting, it is worth checking current opening details with the local Cœur de Beauce tourist office, since the schedule may vary while restoration work is ongoing.

How do you get to Moutiers-en-Beauce?

Moutiers-en-Beauce is a small rural commune of fewer than 250 residents in Eure-et-Loir, surrounded by the wide, open grain fields typical of the Beauce plain — flat, treeless land that also explains why the wind here was strong enough to power local mills for centuries. The windmill itself stands apart from the village, a few hundred metres from the built-up area, a siting choice that made the most of that open exposure to the wind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the Moulin de Chesnay? Its main beam is carved with the date 1770, marking its construction.

Is it a protected historic monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 26 July 1988.

Can you go inside? Access may have changed since a storm in June 2025 tore off the sails and damaged the shaft — it is best to confirm current visiting conditions with the local tourist office before travelling.

What makes this mill unusual? It is a post mill with no masonry base: the entire wooden tower rotates on its post, and its sails use hinged wooden slats rather than canvas.

Who was its last miller? Marcel Barbier, also known locally as a poet and songwriter connected to the Beauce region.