Moulin de la Marquise, Moulbaix

Moulin de la Marquise is a wooden post mill standing in the village of Moulbaix, part of the municipality of Ath in Belgium's Wallonia region. It is one of the few windmills in the area that still genuinely grinds grain, rather than serving purely as a decorative relic of a vanished craft.

Where does this structure come from?

The mill's story begins in the early 17th century. It was originally built in 1614, during the time of Marquis Jean-François du Chasteler, in the neighboring village of Blicquy. Wooden mills of this type were constructed so they could be dismantled and moved elsewhere if needed — and that is exactly what eventually happened to this one.

Why did it end up in Moulbaix?

In 1747, at the request of a certain Mr. Mercier, the structure was relocated to Moulbaix. Mercier's mill later passed into the hands of Marquis Gabriel François du Chasteler, becoming part of the estate connected to the nearby Château de Moulbaix. From that point on, the mill's fate was closely tied to the du Chasteler family.

Where does the name "Moulin de la Marquise" come from?

The name refers to the last marquise of the du Chasteler line, who in 1927 saved the building from demolition. It was her decision to have the mill carry her name — hence "the Marquise's Mill." Without her intervention, the structure would very likely have disappeared from the village landscape, as happened to many other wooden windmills of that era that did not survive to the present day.

What happened to the mill afterward?

Despite being saved, the windmill stood abandoned for a time and fell into disrepair. It was only restored in 1942, thanks to the efforts of Jozef Dhaenens, who brought it back into working order. That is when the mill resumed grinding grain, returning to its original purpose after years of standing idle.

Is the mill still operating?

Yes. Moulin de la Marquise remains an active mill, run as part of the Dhaenens family enterprise. The work begun in the 1940s was carried forward by the next generation, Joseph Dhaenens, whose father took part in a further restoration effort in the 1960s. Thanks to this generational continuity, the windmill never became a static museum piece — it kept its original, practical function of milling grain into flour.

What should visitors know before coming?

The mill stands in the village of Moulbaix, a few kilometers from the center of Ath, in a quiet agricultural area typical of the Wallonie Picarde region. It's a destination for anyone interested in the history of rural craft and small-scale industry — post mills of this kind, moved and repeatedly rescued from destruction, are a rarity in this part of Europe today. Since it remains a working mill, opening hours for visitors may be limited around milling operations, so it's worth checking current information locally or with the regional tourism office before planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Moulin de la Marquise? The structure dates back to 1614, though it has changed location and undergone major restorations several times since then.

Where does the mill's name come from? It is named after the last marquise of the du Chasteler family, who saved it from demolition in 1927 and gave it her title.

Does the mill still grind grain? Yes, it operates as a working mill, currently run by the Dhaenens family, continuing work that began in the 1940s.

Where exactly is it located? In the village of Moulbaix, part of the municipality of Ath, in the province of Hainaut, Wallonia.