“It’s fun!” : in the island of Oléron, a mill produces local flour after more than a century

2023-06-19 12:14:47

They followed the entire rehabilitation project, which began in February 2020. “We came regularly by bike to see how things were progressing. It’s incredible. Nice to see it running today! smile Evelyne and Dominique. Saturday, June 17, this couple was one of the many curious people to attend the inauguration of the La Bree mill, in La Brée-les-Bains, north of the island of Oléron (Charente-Maritime). First mapped in 1686, this artisanal windmill had been idle for a century. It was bought in 2012 by the Community of Communes (CdC) of the island and the municipality.

The objective of the communities was then to revive this heritage. Eleven years later, the mission is accomplished. 2.6 million euros excluding tax were invested, including 425,000 euros excluding tax for catering. “This mill has a great run. It arouses enthusiasm. Until now it was only open during Heritage Days and we had a strong demand from the public. Today, we can satisfy it”, rejoices Joseph Hughes, Director General of Services (DGS) of the CdC. A whole site has been created around the building, including a restaurant area with a bread oven, an educational room, a museum and a shop.

40 to 50 tons of flour each year

Daniel and Cathie, two tourists from Corrèze, “came out of curiosity” to the inauguration. They will leave with a small bag of 100% Oleron flour, produced and sold on site. “More than a ton of flour has already been produced thanks to a partnership with five Oleron farmers. The objective is to produce between 40 and 50 tonnes each year,” assures the DGS. For this, a miller had been recruited in July 2022. He finally left the territory for personal reasons and it was Aline Albalat, previously a miller in Jonzac, who took over.

The professional will lead visits during which she will explain her job, the mechanics of the wind and the workings of the mill. The public will discover the important milling past of this windy territory, long nicknamed “The island of a hundred mills”. “I had no idea there were so many mills here,” Daniel is surprised. “It’s very good to highlight this whole part of the history of the island of Oléron that few know. The result is there, it’s very nice,” says Dominique, the yard’s regular.