Cotentin. Creators’ market, demonstrations… A great first for the Windmill

Wednesday April 17, 2024Odile Thominet, vice-president of the Cotentin Agglomerate in charge of Valorization of heritage and Tourist facilitiesaccompanied by Gérard Blestel, mayor of the commune of Fierville-les-Mines (Manche), presented the program of the first Cabanosiers festival which will take place on May 9 at the Cotentin Windmill.

The Cotentin Windmill was built in 1744 And returned to service in 1997. Flagship facility of the Cotentin Agglomeration, it culminates at 120 meters up a hill which offers an extensive panorama of the bocage, facing the Channel Islands. It is one of the rare mills in France Again in activity. It grinds organic wheat, buckwheat, spelled and accommodates approximately 10,000 visitors per year.

What are Cabanosiers?

The idea of ​​a fun course And pedagogicthrough huts and wicker tunnels installed directly on the site of the Moulin du Cotentin, has taken shape in 2020. The objective was to offer the audience the possibility of staying longer on the site while enjoying the outdoor spaces in an original way, but also of creating a participatory construction site.

In fact, different audiences such as school, the young workers’ home, rural homes, neighborhood houses, etc. collaborated in the co-construction of this project under the wise advice of a local basket maker, Antoine Bernollin. In total, over the three years of the project, 16 groups contributed to the construction of Cabanosiers.

The concept

The wicker used for the Cabanosiers is freshly cut, then replanted. Thus, the structures come back to life as soon as the sap rises, in all forms and are therefore real living cabins. These Cabanosiers invite curiosity and play. Inside the natural arches, games and educational panels are offered, providing information on themilling activity And the environment from the mill.

Thus, created over three years, this project was co-financed by Cotentin, but also by the European LEADER program, allowing it to compete and receive, in 2023the Normandy LEADER Prize for innovation And experimentation of rural world. Odile Thominet, project leader, explains:

These new exterior developments make it possible to enhance these characteristics by integrating naturally into the landscape through their exclusively plant and deciduous design, like most of the local flora. They are used for educational activities organized on the Cotentin Windmill site, which allows us to add a new string to our bow to make this exceptional place a complete and attractive tourist site. The idea of ​​celebrating them came up quite naturally to promote them and also because the location of the Moulin lends itself perfectly to this type of event.

The first Cabanosiers festival

Although the Cabanosiers are accessible all year round, these living cabins will be in the spotlight and celebrated throughout the day of Thursday, May 9, 2024.

From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., a rich and varied program will delight local visitors and tourists. Alongside the discovery of Cabanosiers, young and old will be able to enjoy a multitude of animations throughout the day: workshops, exhibitions, children’s activities, Norman games and even clown strolls.

A designer market will take place around the Mill. A way of highlighting thelocal crafts in the presence of:

• Marine Rivière – Pepper producer
• Crea By EA – Pearl and resin jewelry
• Nuasoi – Lingerie
• Kadalafa creations – Macramé jewelry and accessories
• Along the way of bohemia – Zero waste textile clothing and accessories
• La Fée Cotentine – Personalized creations: objects, textiles and wood cutting
• Soaps from the end of the peninsula – Organic soaps
• Made in creation event – ​​Children’s makeup workshop + Juju Hats stand

Thanks to the planned activities, visitors will have the opportunity to have a good time with family or friends:

• Visits to the mill in operation
• Pottery workshops
• Makeup and temporary tattoos for children
• Flail threshing demonstrations and initiation
• Donkey rides
• Traditional Norman games
• Flour making workshops for children
• Sale of bread, bourdelots and brioches

At 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., clowns will show you the Moulin du Cotentin site in an original way. A fun discovery to promote the heritage of our territory to young people.

From 7 p.m., a Bal musette will close this festive day. Visitors will have the opportunity to restore on site with several choices: pizzas cooked in the Moulin’s wood-fired oven, food trucks, grills. The new tenant of restaurant “Les Cuisines du Moulin”, Jeremy Jasmin, will also be delighted to welcome visitors to the establishment located at the foot of the Moulin du Cotentin.

From our correspondent Judith LACOURS

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.