Moulin de Vertain, Templeuve

Moulin de Vertain is a historic windmill standing in Templeuve-en-Pévèle, in the Nord department of France. Also known as the Moulin Blanc or the Moulin de Briques, it counts among the last surviving examples of its particular type of mill construction in the Pévèle region.

What makes this windmill unusual?

From the outside, the Moulin de Vertain looks like a typical tower mill: a solid brick base with a rotating cap on top. Internally, though, it works on the principle of a post mill, where the entire milling mechanism turns together with the structure rather than just the cap up top. This blend of two distinct windmill traditions makes it a genuinely one-of-a-kind building — the only surviving mill of its kind in the area.

The mill body is built of brick and clad with wooden shingles. It rises over two square-shaped storeys with exposed timber framing left visible on the exterior. A conical roof crowns the structure, topped by a longer, sloping cap — a distinctive silhouette that's easy to spot from a distance.

How old is the mill's history?

The story of this site stretches back well beyond the building visitors see today. A mill on this spot is recorded as early as 1328 in the archives of Anchin Abbey, referred to then as "Modlin de Viertain." An earlier mill burned down in 1616 during wartime unrest. The windmill standing today was raised at the very end of the 15th century and served the local community for grinding grain for generations.

The last working miller, Jean-Baptiste Houze, died in 1908. His widow finished off the outstanding orders before the mill fell silent and, over the following decades, slowly fell into disrepair.

How was the mill saved and restored?

The turning point came through local efforts to preserve the region's industrial heritage. Thanks to the work of the heritage association ARAM, the municipality purchased the mill in 1973 with restoration in mind. The rebuilding work ran from 1980 to 1985 under the direction of Jean Bruggemann. The result brought the mill back into full working order, with sails that can genuinely turn and machinery that can be demonstrated to visitors. The restored windmill was officially reopened on 15 June 1985.

What can visitors see on site?

Visitors can examine the unusual hybrid design that merges tower-mill and post-mill construction, study the exposed timber frame, and take in the conical roof up close. The site offers a living window into the industrial heritage of the Pévèle region — not just an architectural curiosity, but a witness to centuries of grain milling in this corner of northern France. The windmill also sits along local walking and touring routes around Templeuve-en-Pévèle, making it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the area on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Moulin de Vertain located? The windmill stands in Templeuve-en-Pévèle, in the Nord department, in the Hauts-de-France region of France.

When was the mill built? The current structure dates to the end of the 15th century, though a mill on the same site is documented as far back as 1328.

How does it differ from a standard tower mill? It looks like a tower mill from the outside, but its internal mechanism works like a post mill, with the whole milling structure rotating together — an unusual technical combination for a windmill of this era.

Can the windmill be visited? Following its restoration, completed in 1985, the mill has been returned to working order and is open to visitors, often as part of local heritage events in the area.