this mill, which has been shut down for 68 years, has found its cap

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A day that will go down in history. This Friday, November 15, a brand new headdress found its place on the Arzelier mill, at the top of its hill, in Villeneuve en Retz. The building built in 1857, which ceased its activity a century later, now has a conical roof, made up of an oak frame and chestnut slats. This “piece”, the work of Maison Croix (49), was hoisted using a crane.

An operation started in September 2020

Over time, several elements of the stone building have deteriorated. In order to bring it back to life, theassociation of Friends of the Arzelier mill was created in 1990.

Today, with 200 members, it undertakes these safeguarding actions. September 2020 marked the start of work with the installation of a temporary cap. This operation cost €85,000.

And the renovation of the mill must continue, which is why it is important for the association to find strong partners. This is how the Heritage Foundation became a financial support for this project.

According to this foundation, “mills embody plural values ​​and represent a trilogy of interests between the building, the machine and the man at work in the mill. A true element of the milling heritage, its rehabilitation is part of a global project of cultural and tourist development of the territory. On this important day, an agreement was signed with this organization.

Recognized as being of general interest and with strong support, such as Valorem (operator of the wind turbine), the Department of Loire-Atlantique, the commune of Villeneuve-en-Retz, members and donors, the association of Friends of the Moulin de Arzelier is taking a crucial step here in the promotion of this heritage.

There is still the motor shaft and the wings to finance for the mill to come back to life definitively, which is why the Heritage Foundation and the Friends of the mill are launching an appeal for donations. On a budget estimated at €142,000, the fundraising objective is €37,000. The association hopes to start work next spring.

Facilitate the transmission of knowledge

Ultimately, the volunteers wish to organize educational demonstrations in order to facilitate the transmission of knowledge: flour production, mill maintenance among others. The aim is to raise awareness among the general public about wind as a renewable energy or about the cultivation of ancient organic wheat.

Contact Friends of the Moulin de l'Arzelier: 06 83 82 33 78. Website: www.fondation-patrimoine.org/101827.

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