In the 50's, the mills closed one after the other, as they became outdated with modern productive agriculture. In former times they were actually meeting places, as many people came there to mill their corn (which was the main component of their diet), but were abandoned later when they fell into disuse.

It was in 1977 when Daniel Michenaud, an English agrégé, fell in love with the windmill of La Forge, which he has patiently renovated by himself. This mill now produces high-grade walnuts oil and first choice flours.

There has been an interest in mills for a long time, because they invoke a strong and captivating image in people's minds, then they endured, though mill lovers have never had any doubts about this. That is the reason why the associations field decided to look after this important part of the French cultural heritage. The "Amis des Moulins Bandiat-Tardoire" (friends of the Bandiat-Tardoire mills) association, founded by Daniel Michenaud, have worked since 1985 to give a second life to the mills of East of Charente.

This association offers all the necessary (legal, technical...) assistance to mill renovators. The main purpose is to make the working mills become cultural and tourist attractive places to be.

Give a second life to mills instead of changing them into museums.

The new French millers work to develop the potential of flours and the production of oils. The resulting products are of course top-of-the-range; and some forgotten cereals (like the spelt) have been rediscovered.

As many as 20,000 people came to visit the reborn mills last year, among them some 7 mills in the Bandiat-Tardoire area.

The Association "Moulins de Charente" (Mills of Charente) took part in the renovation of 23 mills, among which one windmill, that now produce flours, oils, paper, electricity and even carries out stone-cutting.

7 mills are located in the Bandiat-Tardoire area :

Trotte Renard in Bunzac (16); Grand Picard in Chazelles (16); Pinard in Bourdeix (24); La Bregère in Cussac (87); Menet in Montbron (16); Chabrot in Montbron (16); La Forge in Rancogne(16).

Learn more about Poitou Charente, its specific gastronomy and products. Visit our partners' site at www.franceartdevivre.com