Moulin à vent de Rairé

Moulin à vent de Rairé is a historic windmill standing on the edge of Sallertaine, right in the heart of the Marais breton-vendéen. It is the only windmill in France that has kept turning continuously — powered solely by wind — since it was first built in the mid-16th century.

When was the windmill built?

The structure went up around 1555, commissioned by Jacques de La Touche, lord of La Garnache. Builders chose the moulin-tour design — a stone tower shaped to withstand the strong winds sweeping in from the coast. The oldest surviving document confirming the mill's existence is a parchment dated 2 August 1567, placing Rairé among the oldest mills in the whole of Vendée. Since 16 March 1976 the site has been listed as a monument historique, protecting it as part of France's rural and industrial heritage.

Who runs the mill today?

The mill has stayed in the hands of the same milling family since 1840, and today it is run by the Burgaud family, who keep the craft passed down through the generations alive. It's a rare case where the milling tradition was never interrupted by changing technology or the passage of centuries — the mechanism still works the way it did hundreds of years ago.

What did the sails look like?

The original sails spanned 18 metres and were covered in linen cloth, a classic solution for windmills in this region. In 1864 they were replaced with Berton-style sails made of Oregon wood, which allowed finer control of the driving power depending on wind conditions. Inside, the mill houses two pairs of millstones, though only one set remains in regular use today.

What does the mill actually grind?

The windmill itself is used to grind grain for animal feed, while the flours meant for human consumption — wheat and buckwheat, both from organic farming — are produced at a neighbouring mill building that visitors can also see during the tour. That way, visitors get to follow the whole process, from traditional wind-powered grinding to the modern production of flour for sale.

What does a visit look like?

The heart of the visit is a guided tour led personally by the miller. He walks visitors through the driving mechanisms, explains each stage of flour production, and shares stories tied to the site's history. The programme is rounded out with free themed exhibitions around the mill and a film tracing its past. Visits often end with a tasting of crêpes made from flour milled on site, and the shop next door sells the mill's own flours, biscuits, and other local products.

Why pair the visit with the surrounding area?

Sallertaine sits in the Marais breton-vendéen, a region of canals and wet meadows traditionally crossed by flat-bottomed boats called yoles. The windmill stands on a slight rise offering views over the surrounding bocage and waterways — it's worth setting aside time for a walk or a boat trip after the tour to take in the landscape that shaped local craft and trade for centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Moulin de Rairé still working? Yes, it is the only windmill in France that has run continuously on wind power alone since it was built in the 16th century. It still grinds grain, though only one of its two sets of millstones is in regular use today.

Who leads the tour? The miller himself guides the visit, demonstrating the mechanisms, explaining the flour-making process, and sharing the history of the site.

Can you buy flour from the mill on site? Yes, the on-site shop sells organic wheat and buckwheat flour along with biscuits and other regional products.

Is the mill a listed monument? Yes, it has been registered as a monument historique since 16 March 1976, recognising it as part of France's architectural heritage.