Moulin de la Noue Ronde

Moulin de la Noue Ronde is a listed tower windmill in Coron, in the Maine-et-Loire department of the Anjou region. The former flour mill stands on a hilltop beside the road toward Vihiers, less than 20 km northeast of Cholet. Protected as a historic monument, the building now operates as an event venue and guest accommodation set within a large private park.

Where is Moulin de la Noue Ronde and how do you get there?

The mill sits on rising ground in the commune of Coron, with views over the surrounding Anjou farmland and woods. It's a convenient base for exploring western Maine-et-Loire: Angers and Saumur are both roughly 30 minutes away by car, and the Puy du Fou theme park is about 40 minutes away. Coron lies on the route connecting the historically significant town of Vihiers with the surrounding villages, which explains why a mill was built at this exact spot in the first place.

What is the history behind the windmill?

The tower standing today is a reconstruction dating from 1890, built on the site of an earlier mill already recorded in the 18th century — so milling on this spot goes back much further than the current structure. It was a tower-type flour mill with a shingled roof, a design typical of Anjou's regional milling architecture.

In 1941 the mill was restored and fitted with Berton-type sails and their matching gear mechanism, a common upgrade in 20th-century French windmill renovations that made better use of available wind. The sails turned for the last time in 1971. After that, a diesel engine took over as the power source, keeping the mill running until 1983, when flour production stopped for good. Two years after wind-powered milling ended, in 1975, the building was added to France's monument historique register, protecting it as part of the region's industrial heritage.

What can visitors do at Moulin de la Noue Ronde today?

The estate now operates primarily as a celebration venue — weddings make up the large majority of bookings, alongside family gatherings and corporate events. The main reception hall covers 180 m² with a 6-metre ceiling, exposed stone walls and timber beams. It seats up to 170 guests for a dinner reception or accommodates up to 300 for a cocktail-style event.

The grounds cover 8 hectares in total, with 1.5 hectares set aside specifically for hosting events. The park is planted with century-old oaks, ash, chestnut and walnut trees, giving the mill a mature, wooded setting.

For overnight stays, the property offers 45 beds in total: three gîtes inside the former residence sleeping 29 people, plus four tipis sleeping 16. That combination lets an entire weekend event — ceremony, reception and accommodation — take place on a single site.

Frequently asked questions

Is Moulin de la Noue Ronde still a working mill? No. Flour production ended in 1983, after the diesel engine that had replaced wind power — following the sails' final turn in 1971 — was also retired. The mill now functions solely as an event venue.

How many people can stay overnight on site? The estate has 45 beds: 29 across three gîtes and 16 across four tipis.

How many guests can the reception hall hold? The 180 m² hall, with its 6-metre ceiling, holds up to 300 guests for a cocktail reception or 170 for a seated dinner.

How far is it from Angers, Saumur and Puy du Fou? Angers and Saumur are each about a 30-minute drive from Coron, and Puy du Fou is roughly 40 minutes away.