Moulin du Saut, Medieval water mill ruins in Gramat, France
The Moulin du Saut is a stone mill ruin positioned against a rocky cliff beside a waterfall on the Alzou River. The structure housed multiple grinding chambers and water wheels that captured the river's power to process grain.
The mill originated in the 15th century as a productive facility in medieval France and was rebuilt during later periods as needs changed. Its transformation from working mill to ruin marks the shift from traditional grain milling to modern industrial practices.
The miller's residence included an oven for baking and access to fresh running water, making it largely independent from nearby settlements. This self-contained way of life demonstrates how medieval craftsmen and their families lived apart from towns while remaining connected to the river's resources.
A hiking trail winds through the canyon past the mill ruins and along limestone cliffs, with access via marked paths from nearby trailheads. Visitors should prepare for uneven ground and potential wet areas near the river.
After grain milling ended, the site briefly served as a power generation facility before a fire stopped its operations and left it abandoned. This unexpected industrial phase reveals how rural communities adapted old structures to new technologies during modernization.
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