Sawmill and former mill

The Sawmill and former mill (Moulin-Scierie) in Saint-George is an industrial heritage site in the canton of Vaud, set in the Jura vaudois above Lake Geneva. This water-powered mill and sawmill is listed as a cultural property of national significance and now works as a small technical museum.

What is the Saint-George mill-sawmill?

It is a complex driven entirely by water: a grain mill alongside a sawmill turned by a water wheel, fed from two ponds nearby. It shows how everyday industry ran in a mountain village before electric machinery took over. Saint-George itself was long a craft centre, home to glassblowers and limestone workers.

What is its history?

A mill on this spot is first recorded in 1548. The Rochat brothers from L'Abbaye were its earliest operators, and their family kept it for more than 160 years until the municipality took it over in 1693. A hydraulic saw arrived in 1816. In 1837 Jean Samuel Rochat sold the mill to the Germain brothers, who rebuilt almost all of it, with the commune supplying timber for the frame. Work stopped around the middle of the 20th century, and the site was renovated in 1983.

What will you see?

• the water-drive mechanism and the historic saw,
• the mill interior with its grain-grinding equipment,
• a modest display of old farm tools.

The visit is short, but it pairs well with a walk through the surrounding countryside.

How do you get there, and when can you visit?

The address is Le Moulin, 1188 Saint-George. The village lies inside the Jura vaudois regional nature park, and a car is the easiest way in, for example from the Gimel or Aubonne side. The museum runs seasonally from March to November. A public visit is usually held once a month, and groups can book other dates on request. Check the current schedule with the Swiss museums listing or the municipality before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is the mill open every day?

No. It opens seasonally, with one regular public visit per month. Other dates need to be arranged in advance.

How old is the mill?

The first record dates from 1548, the hydraulic saw was added in 1816, and the present form comes mostly from the 1837 reconstruction.

Is it an important monument?

Yes. It is classed as a cultural property of national importance in Switzerland.

What else is nearby?

Saint-George sits in the Jura vaudois park, so meadows and Jura forest walks are close to the mill.