Moulin de la Saulaie

Moulin de la Saulaie is a stone tower windmill standing on a rocky rise on the edge of Candé, a small town in the Maine-et-Loire department, in the Anjou region. The tower overlooks the grounds of the former Château de la Saulaie, which it belonged to for centuries, and remains one of the recognizable landmarks around the town.

Where is the mill located?

The mill sits at the exit of Candé, on land that once formed part of the Château de la Saulaie estate. It was built on a natural elevation, which let it dominate the surrounding countryside and stay well exposed to the wind — a practical requirement for any windmill, since higher, more open ground meant a steadier airflow to drive the sails.

What is the history behind it?

A mill has stood on this site since the Middle Ages. The earliest written record dates back to 1437, when the lord of La Saulaie granted a lease to a miller named Jean Hullin. The building visible today, however, is not that old — its lower section was built no earlier than the 17th or 18th century, meaning the mill was rebuilt at some point after the medieval original.

A key turning point came in 1865, when the tower was raised by two metres to accommodate Berton-type sails, an improved wind-mechanism design that became popular across France in the 19th century. That renovation is what gave the tower the height and proportions still visible today.

What does the mill's architecture look like?

Moulin de la Saulaie is a classic example of a moulin-tour d'Anjou — a round stone tower mill typical of the Anjou region, distinct from the timber-framed mills found elsewhere in France. It was built from schist, a stone abundant around Candé and traditionally used in local construction.

The tower has three floors, but its interior is now empty: none of the original milling machinery — gears, shaft, or millstones — has survived. What remains is the architectural shell, still bearing witness to the building's original purpose.

Does the mill hold heritage protection?

Yes. Moulin de la Saulaie was added to the supplementary inventory of historic monuments (inventaire supplémentaire des monuments historiques) on 27 May 1975. This official listing recognizes its architectural and historical value at the regional and national level, though it sits a step below full classification as a protected monument.

Candé itself, the town within whose boundaries the mill now stands, expanded considerably in 1955, when it absorbed parts of the neighbouring communes of Freigné, Angrie, and La Cornuaille. The mill today therefore falls within an enlarged municipal territory, even though it historically belonged to a castle estate independent of the town proper.

Frequently asked questions

How long has a mill stood on this site? The earliest written mention dates to 1437, recording a lease granted by the lord of La Saulaie to a miller named Jean Hullin. The current building is younger, though, with its oldest section dating from the 17th or 18th century.

What material was the windmill built from? The tower is built of schist, a stone found in abundance around Candé and traditionally used in local buildings.

Has the milling machinery survived inside? No. The three-storey tower is now empty — the original grinding mechanism has not survived to the present day.

Is the mill a protected historic monument? Yes, Moulin de la Saulaie has been listed on the supplementary inventory of French monuments historiques since 27 May 1975, recognizing it as part of Anjou's regional architectural heritage.