Moulin à vent de Pargeat in Ally

The Moulin à vent de Pargeat is a historic tower windmill standing in the village of Ally, on a high plateau in the Haute-Loire department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is the last fully working survivor of a group of seven mills that once operated on this plateau.

Where exactly is the mill located?

The windmill stands on the Ally plateau, at an altitude of roughly 900 metres. That height, combined with the open, windswept terrain, is precisely why the area once supported more than a dozen windmills. Today Pargeat is the only one that has kept a mechanism capable of actually turning and grinding.

What is the history behind it?

The mill was built in 1817 and remained in use grinding grain for local farms until 1935. After decades of slow decline, it underwent a thorough restoration in 1975, which brought back its wings, millstone and gearing — in short, the complete original mechanism. In 1984 the building was listed as a monument historique under reference PA00092576, formally recognising its role as a witness to the region's milling past.

How was the windmill built?

Pargeat is a tower mill: a round stone tower topped by a conical roof. That roof is built as a rotating timber frame clad in overlapping boards, which keeps rain out while still allowing movement. The whole roof cap, together with the wings, can be rotated on its axis using a wooden pole slotted into the carpentry frame, so the miller could always turn the sails to face the wind. The wings themselves are lattice-and-board sails, rebuilt during the 1975 restoration. Inside, a single millstone survives along with equipment typical of the period.

Is the mill still operational?

Yes. Out of the seven windmills the commune of Ally once had, Pargeat is the only one that still has a working original wooden mechanism. During guided visits, staff demonstrate how the whole system functioned — turning the sails into the wind, engaging the gearing, and grinding grain on the stone.

How can visitors see it?

The mill is open to visitors daily during the season. From April 2026, guided tours require advance booking and are organised for groups of eight people or more. A guided visit lasts around 40 to 45 minutes and covers both the mill's history and a demonstration of the mechanism.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Moulin à vent de Pargeat built? It was built in 1817 and operated until 1935.

Where is the mill located? On the Ally plateau, in the Haute-Loire department, at an altitude of about 900 metres.

Is this the only windmill in Ally? Ally once had more than ten windmills, including a group of seven standing close together. Pargeat is the only one that has kept a working original mechanism.

Is the mill a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 1984, under reference PA00092576.

How long does a guided tour take? About 40 to 45 minutes, including the mill's history and a demonstration of how it works.

Do visitors need to book ahead? Since April 2026, guided tours require a reservation and are aimed at groups of at least eight people.