Moulin Bézard, moulin à Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante (Guadeloupe)
Moulin Bézard is a stone windmill in Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante on Marie-Galante island that was originally used to crush sugarcane. The structure features large blades, three horizontal cast iron rollers protected by a roof, and walls made of dressed stone.
The mill was built between 1800 and 1820 during the height of sugarcane production on the island. It operated until around 1920, then was damaged by Hurricane Betsy in 1956, but underwent a major restoration in 1995 that rebuilt its wooden parts and sails.
The mill represents the sugar industry that once defined life on the island, shaping how people worked and lived together. Walking around it today shows the importance this place held for the community and its connection to the land.
The mill is freely accessible and can be viewed from outside, offering a close look at the structure and craftsmanship. The location is quiet and rural, making it easy to spend time walking around and observing the building and surrounding landscape.
During the 1995 restoration, stones from a local quarry were used to recreate the original look of the building. A small star symbol carved into the structure resembles one found on a nearby grave from 1818, suggesting when the mill was actually built.
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