moulin Ramet

Moulin Ramet is a historic windmill on the hill above Fontvieille, in the Alpilles area of Provence.

Where does moulin Ramet stand in Fontvieille?

Of all the windmills scattered across the ridge overlooking Fontvieille, moulin Ramet is the one closest to the village itself, standing almost as an extension of Place du Champ de Foire, the village's old market square. That makes it the first mill you reach when setting out from the centre along the Sentier des Moulins, the marked walking trail that links the hill's windmills. Wheat fields once surrounded the mill, supplying the grain it ground into flour.

What is the history behind the windmill?

Moulin Ramet operated as a wind-powered grain mill. Like the other windmills on the ridge, it lost its moving parts - the sails and the internal machinery - and stopped turning around 1900. What remains today is mainly the stone tower, the classic silhouette of a Provençal windmill from this period.

Is moulin Ramet a protected monument?

Yes. Moulin Ramet, together with the neighbouring Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet, was listed as a monument historique in France in 1931. Both mills belong to a wider group known as the "moulins de Rome", which covers several historic windmills on the hill above Fontvieille. The listing recognises the historical and architectural value of the structure, even though the mill has long been out of use.

How can you visit moulin Ramet?

The windmill sits directly on the Sentier des Moulins, a signposted walking route across the hill above Fontvieille that connects several mills, including the one that inspired Alphonse Daudet's "Lettres de mon moulin" (Letters from My Windmill). The walk starts from the village centre, is easy, and can be completed within about an hour at a relaxed pace. Because moulin Ramet is the closest mill to the village, it also works well as a short stop if you don't plan to walk the full trail.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for moulin Ramet? No. The mill stands along a public walking trail and can be viewed from outside free of charge - it's a viewpoint on the route rather than a ticketed museum.

Is moulin Ramet still working? No, the mill stopped turning around 1900. Its stone structure survives, but without the milling machinery that once powered it.

What's the difference between moulin Ramet and Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet? They are two separate windmills on the same hill above Fontvieille, both listed as historic monuments in 1931. Moulin Ramet stands closer to the village centre, next to Place du Champ de Foire, while Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet is linked to the writer who drew inspiration from Fontvieille for his stories.

How do you get to moulin Ramet? The easiest way is to start from the centre of Fontvieille and follow the signposted Sentier des Moulins - moulin Ramet is the first windmill on the route, visible already from around the market square.