a network is created to bring together the owners of Lauragais mills

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The Territorial and Rural Balance Pole (PETR) of Pays Lauragais welcomed to its premises in Montferrand, Thursday, December 19, the owners of several mills in the region to the signing of the Pays Lauragais mill network charter. After numerous discussions, the 12 owners of these buildings – whether individuals or communities – and the PETR management have agreed on the different axes of the project aimed at creating a common dynamic to promote this emblematic heritage of Lauragais.

A time for discussion was planned to answer the mill owners' final questions and allow them to express their opinions and sometimes, also, their fears. So that these feedbacks can be taken into account when build the future directions of this network.

Mills that can be visited or under renovation

These are twelve millsdistributed across the territories of Lauragais and Audewhich are part of this program of valorization and preservation of milling heritage. The selection criteria were quite simple. “We wanted the mills to be visible and/or visitable, but also for them to have a tourist project,” explains Lise Verguettourism and communications mission manager for the PETR.

So, if some buildings are still being renovated or reconstructed, others can already be visited. This is the case of Nailloux six-wing millof Cugarel mill in Castelnaudary or even moulin du Fagetwinner in 2021 of aid from the Heritage Mission, supported by Stéphane Bern.

In Saint-Félix-Lauragais, the deputy mayor Christian Fabre explains that the restoration work has just been completed. “We rebuilt the entire roof as faithfully as possible. The objective is not to disfigure the mill, but to return it to the public as previous generations knew it. »

Financial uncertainties

The Lauragais country mill network charter was signed in the presence of the president of PETR, Gilbert Hébrardand the two co-presidents of the Tourism Commission, Martine Maréchal et Estelle Vilespy. “This signature allowsannounce the launch of the project. It does not in any way commit the owners to remain within the project. If the renovation costs are too high, they may withdraw,” specifies the second, following concerns expressed on this financial point within the audience.

It was also specified that the allocated budget was not yet determineddespite a scholarship obtained at European level and lasting until 2027. “ A difficult year lies aheadbut we will do our best to honor the commitments,” assures the president of PETR.

“We still have work to do”

To date, the project is only in its early stages. The common graphic charter, common events, communication supports and tourist programs have not yet been determined. “ The idea is to prepare them with them. The project must suit them and correspond to them. We already have proposals for the graphic charter, but we must also include the existing one.We still have work left», specifies Lise Verguet.

Several meetings should therefore be scheduled to continue to establish the main lines of the project carried out by this network of Lauragais mills in order toto discover the traces of the past on this territory.

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