Moulin de Moidrey
About Moulin de Moidrey
The Moulin de Moidrey is an operational 19th-century windmill located 5 km from Mont-Saint-Michel. Built in 1806, this stone tower mill was abandoned for over a century before being restored and put back into operation in 2003. The mill uses traditional wooden mechanisms and stone millstones to produce flour from buckwheat, wheat, and rye. Guided tours led by the miller take visitors through multiple floors to observe the complete milling process, from grain hopper to finished flour. The hilltop location at 44 meters altitude offers panoramic views of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay. The site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay. Hours vary seasonally with extended summer hours; the mill is closed December through January.
Interesting Facts
The mill's roof weighs 9 tonnes and is covered entirely with chestnut shingles. The massive structure can rotate 360 degrees to position the sails into the wind, a feat accomplished manually by the miller using a long wooden tail pole.
The windmill uses a Berton sail system, a sophisticated 19th-century French invention where 52 square meters of overlapping wooden planks slide to adjust the sail surface area. This allows the miller to adapt to changing wind conditions without stopping the mill.
Every year, the mill processes approximately 13 tonnes of grain and produces 8 tonnes of flour. The flour is sold to local artisan bakers in the Mont-Saint-Michel region and to visitors who want to take home authentic Norman buckwheat flour.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Self-Guided Visit
Guided Tour
RecommendedLocation & Practical Info
Address
35 route des Moulins, 50170 Pontorson (Moidrey), France