Moulin Crockaert

Moulin Crockaert is a historic watermill in Uccle, a municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region, built along the small Linkebeek stream. For centuries this spot harnessed flowing water to power successive generations of industrial equipment — from papermaking to grain milling — and it still stands as a reminder of the era when the Linkebeek valley was dotted with working mills.

Where does the mill's name come from?

Records of milling activity on this stretch of the Linkebeek go back to 1563. The oldest known building on the site functioned as a paper mill. It was only in 1718 that the structure was converted for grinding grain, earning it the popular name "Nieuwen Bauwmolen." The mill's modern name, however, dates from the 19th century: in 1841 the building underwent a major reconstruction under Henri Crockaert, whose surname has been attached to the site ever since — giving us today's "Moulin Crockaert."

Why does this site stand out in the Brussels area?

The Linkebeek valley was once densely lined with watermills — the earliest installations in the area are recorded as far back as 1247. Over the centuries most of them disappeared as the Brussels region urbanized, with the last ones ceasing industrial activity during the 20th century. Moulin Crockaert stands apart because it has retained its historic fabric and mechanisms in working condition, making it a rare surviving witness to an era when water power underpinned the local economy.

What can visitors expect to see?

The mill building itself, its footprint along the watercourse, gives a tangible sense of the rhythm of work that once defined this corner of Uccle. The site mainly draws visitors interested in industrial heritage and the history of technology, as well as Brussels residents looking for a quiet spot away from the city centre, where the landscape still carries traces of a once-rural valley.

Where exactly is Moulin Crockaert located?

The mill sits in the municipality of Uccle, in the southern part of the Brussels-Capital Region, on the Linkebeek stream, along the street that shares its name. Its approximate coordinates are 50.7797° N, 4.3264° E.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Moulin Crockaert? Milling activity on the site dates back to the 16th century, with the first records from 1563, though the mill's present form largely reflects an 1841 reconstruction.

Where does the mill's name come from? From Henri Crockaert, who thoroughly rebuilt the existing mill in 1841.

What was the building used for before it ground grain? Its earliest known function was as a paper mill; it was only converted to grind grain in 1718.

Is the mill still operational? It has retained mechanisms that allow it to work, setting it apart from the other, long-inactive mills once found along the Linkebeek valley.

Where is the mill located? In the municipality of Uccle in the Brussels-Capital Region, along the Linkebeek stream.