Moulin à vent dit moulin de Patouillet

English translation

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History

In the early 19th century, Anjou counted between 200 and 300 chandelier mills; only two remain today, including that of Patouillet. A mill entirely of wood, dismountable and easily transportable, its fate is that of many of its like which were often moved: originally erected in the commune of Gennes, in 1893 it was repurchased by Louis Martin, owner of the water mill of Patouillet, and installed near the latter to supplement it during periods of water shortage. After twenty-seven years of service, it ceased activity in 1920. It was restored and returned to the wind in 1984. The mill of Patouillet may be considered as the typical chandelier of Anjou; instead of being "seated on the ground" like the Beauce mills, it is raised on a small tower, the "cavette", which allows it to catch the wind higher up and serves as a storage location. The conical roof of the latter shelters the timber foot of the mill composed of two criss-crossed sole beams and eight oblique braces propping the fixed vertical pivot, or "chandelier", whose upper extremity supports and allows the large wooden cage to turn to the wind. The latter, accessible by a wide ladder, contains two pairs of millstones. The sails are equipped with Berton shutters.