Moulin de Bretoule, Windmill in Barbentane, France
The Moulin de Bretoule is a stone windmill on the edge of Barbentane in Provence, built in 1774. It sits on a hill among pine trees, with four blades that no longer turn and a solid stone base that remains intact.
The mill was built in 1774 by Pierre Deurrieu and Louis Berlandier to grind grain for local farms. The blades stopped turning in 1845, and the mill was never put back into use after that.
The name Bretoule comes from Louis Berlandier, one of the builders, who was known by that nickname. The mill sits on a hill called the "Coste," which was once lined with several windmills taking advantage of the strong winds that swept through.
The mill sits on private land and can only be seen from outside, but it is clearly visible from the road. Visiting during the day is best, and signs from the center of Barbentane point the way there.
Although the blades are still visible today, the roof was replaced in the 20th century after the original parts were removed for safety reasons. This mill is the last one still standing out of the six that once operated on the "Coste."
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
