Moulin de Beuvry

Moulin de Beuvry, also known as Moulin Buret or Moulin du Ballon, is a historic windmill standing on a low mound in Beuvry, a small town in the Pas-de-Calais department a few kilometres from Béthune. Owned today by the municipality, it is the last surviving mill on a site that has been milling grain for centuries.

How old is the windmill in Beuvry?

The mound itself has been a milling site since the 13th century, which makes it far older than the building visible today. An earlier 18th-century post mill made of timber stood here before it was destroyed by a storm. The brick tower that replaced it was raised in 1811 — the date is carved into the structure and still legible.

Where do the names Moulin Buret and Moulin du Ballon come from?

The name "Moulin Buret" comes from the Buret family, who inherited the mill and ran it for generations. Before that, in 1762, the property belonged to Mademoiselle de Ghistelles; on her death it passed to her nephew, Prince Philippe de Ghistelles.

The second nickname, "Moulin du Ballon," recalls one of the more unusual episodes in local history. On 19 September 1784, the Robert brothers set off in a hydrogen balloon from the Tuileries in Paris. Hours later, around 6:15 pm, their balloon drifted over Beuvry and very nearly collided with the mill before touching down near the main road. It was one of the earliest long-distance balloon flights in France, and the neighbourhood around the mill is still called the "quartier du Ballon" today.

What happened to the mill in the 20th century?

The sails kept turning until 1900, but they weren't lost to weather — the miller removed them deliberately to dodge a tax levied on working windmills. During the First World War, the mill's solid masonry tower was pressed into service as a blockhouse, which cost it what remained of its machinery. Ownership later passed to the Compagnie des mines de Vicoigne, a regional mining company, before the town of Beuvry bought the mill in 1983.

How was the mill restored?

After acquiring the building, the municipality commissioned restoration work carried out by the ARAM association, backed by regional and departmental grants. The project ran from 1985 to 1992 and rebuilt the oak frame along with a chestnut-shingle covering. The sails went back up in 1991, followed by the canvas the year after, and the mill was formally reopened on 25 October 1992. The whole structure has been listed as a monument historique since 1 July 1987.

What does the mill's structure look like?

The brick-and-limestone tower measures 9.20 metres across on the outside and rises to 18.80 metres at its peak, with sails spanning 24.60 metres. Inside, two pairs of two-metre millstones once ground the local wheat harvest.

Can you visit Moulin de Beuvry?

Since 2019 the site has been open to the public for walks and visits. It makes an easy stop while exploring the Béthune area, pairing a look at traditional milling architecture with the odd story of the balloon that nearly crashed into it.

Frequently asked questions

Is Moulin de Beuvry a windmill or a watermill? It's a windmill (moulin à vent), built to grind grain using sail-driven blades rather than water power.

Why is it also called Moulin du Ballon? Because in 1784 the Robert brothers' hydrogen balloon nearly struck it while landing nearby, and the surrounding area is still known as the "quartier du Ballon."

When was the mill listed as a historic monument? The entire structure has been registered as a monument historique since 1 July 1987.

Who owns and maintains the mill today? The town of Beuvry has owned it since 1983 and carried out its restoration between 1985 and 1992.