Moulin-cavier de Gasté

Moulin-cavier de Gasté is a historic cavier-type windmill standing in the hamlet of Grézillé, part of the commune of Gennes-Val-de-Loire in Maine-et-Loire, roughly halfway between Angers and Saumur. It is one of the last working examples of a mill design found nowhere outside the Anjou region.

What makes a moulin-cavier different from an ordinary windmill?

A moulin-cavier is built in two distinct parts. The upper, rotating section — called the hucherolle — carries the sails and the grinding machinery, and it sits on top of a stone-built base shaped like a cellar, sometimes carved directly into the rock (troglodytic). That underground "cave," or cellar, gives the whole mill type its name: cavier. The design let millers swivel the entire upper structure, sails included, to face the wind, while the solid base stayed fixed.

This construction appears only in Anjou — around Saumur, Doué-la-Fontaine, the Layon valley, and a handful of sites near Angers and in neighbouring Indre-et-Loire. At their peak in the 19th century, close to 180 cavier mills dotted the Angevin hillsides. Today fewer than twenty survive, and fewer than ten are still in working order. The mill at Gasté is one of that small surviving group.

What is the history behind the Gasté mill?

The current mill was built in 1819, though the site itself had been used for grinding grain since as far back as the 15th century — evidence of centuries of continuous milling activity at this exact spot. The mill operated throughout the 19th century but fell silent between 1914 and 1918, during the First World War, and stood derelict for decades afterward.

It was bought back in 1997, and on 3 February 1999 it was officially listed as a monument historique, giving it legal heritage protection. Starting in 2008, the mill underwent a thorough restoration that returned it to its original 19th-century architectural appearance. It now stands about 15 metres tall, its tall, well-proportioned silhouette once again able to catch the wind through the sails mounted on the hucherolle.

Can visitors go inside and see it working?

Yes. Following the restoration, the stone millstones inside are operational again and can grind flour just as they did before 1914. The mill now runs as a guided tourist attraction, with visits lasting around one hour. Admission is roughly €3–4 (children aged 8–12: €3; adults: €4; groups of 10 or more: €3 per person), and children under 8 get in free. Payment is accepted in cash or by cheque. Because opening hours vary by season, it is worth contacting the mill directly by phone or email before visiting.

The mill sits at 1 Chemin du Moulin de Gasté in Grézillé, close to the La Loire à Vélo cycling route, making it an easy stop for anyone touring the Loire Valley by bike or by car.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is a moulin-cavier? It is a windmill type unique to Anjou in which the rotating upper part carrying the millstones and sails, called the hucherolle, rests on a stone base shaped like a cellar — sometimes cut into the rock itself — which is why the type is called "cavier."

When was the Gasté mill built, and when did it stop working? The present structure dates from 1819, although milling on this site goes back to the 15th century. Operations stopped during the First World War, between 1914 and 1918, and the mill remained inactive for a long period afterward.

Is the mill protected today, and can it be visited? Yes. It has been listed as a monument historique since 3 February 1999. Following restoration work that began in 2008, it can now be visited with a guide; tours last about an hour, and the millstones can once again produce flour.

How much does a visit cost, and where is the mill located? Admission ranges from €3 to €4 depending on age, and children under 8 enter free. The mill stands in Grézillé, within the commune of Gennes-Val-de-Loire, at 1 Chemin du Moulin de Gasté, roughly halfway between Angers and Saumur, near the La Loire à Vélo cycling route.