Moulin de Poyaller

Moulin de Poyaller is a historic water mill combined with an animal park in the village of Saint-Aubin, in the Chalosse area of the Landes department in southwestern France. It's a family attraction where a tour of a working mill is paired with a walk among local and exotic animals, set in a century-old oak forest by a river.

What kind of place is this?

The 13-hectare park was founded in 1993 by Martine and Jean-Claude Birembaut. Since then it has drawn around 12,000 visitors a year, who come both to learn about traditional milling and to spend time close to animals in a natural, forested setting on the banks of the Gouaougue river.

What does the mill tour involve?

At the heart of the site is a fully functioning water mill, fitted with three pairs of millstones and three horizontal wheels. The miller, Martine, personally guides visitors, showing the mechanisms in action and sharing stories from the mill's history. During the demonstration, guests watch grain being turned into wheat flour, corn flour, and animal feed. Guided tours run daily, typically at 3 PM and 5 PM.

Which animals live in the park?

The animal park lets visitors observe animals in conditions close to their natural habitat. Residents include alpacas, donkeys, miniature goats, Bennett's wallabies, Highland cattle, and white deer. The enclosures are spread through the old oak forest, so a walk through the park has a genuine nature-trail feel rather than just a petting-zoo one.

What else is there to do?

Beyond touring the mill and the animal park, visitors can take a boat ride on the river — boats seat 2 to 5 people, making the activity suitable for couples as well as larger family groups. Depending on the season, the park also runs themed events such as watching newborn animals or treasure-hunt style games for children.

When is the best time to visit?

The mill and park are open from the Easter holidays through All Saints' Day, and in summer the animal park opens from 1:30 PM. It's worth timing a visit around one of the guided mill tours, since that's the best way to learn about traditional milling techniques and hear the history firsthand.

Who is it for?

Moulin de Poyaller is aimed primarily at families with children, though it also appeals to visitors interested in rural heritage and nature. The combination of an educational milling demonstration, close encounters with animals, and activities on the water means a visit can easily fill two hours or more, depending on how much of the site you explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the mill at Moulin de Poyaller actually work? Yes, it's a fully operational water mill with three pairs of millstones and three horizontal wheels, used to grind wheat flour, corn flour, and animal feed live during tours.

What animals can visitors see in the park? The park is home to alpacas, donkeys, miniature goats, Bennett's wallabies, Highland cattle, and white deer, among others.

Can visitors go boating? Yes, boat rides on the river are available in boats seating 2 to 5 people.

When is the site open? Moulin de Poyaller operates seasonally, from the Easter holidays until All Saints' Day, with guided mill tours usually offered at 3 PM and 5 PM.