The Great Mills of Paris, University campus in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France
The Great Mills of Paris (Grands Moulins de Paris) is a former industrial flour mill turned university campus in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France. The complex consists of a main quadrilateral building in neo-classical style with a pale concrete and masonry facade, rows of rectangular windows with dark reddish-brown frames, and a slate-grey hipped roof with dormer windows, along with a taller tower section with a steeply pitched roof and a small lantern on top.
Built between 1917 and 1921 by architect Georges Wybo, the mills operated as a flour factory until 1996, when production moved outside Paris. The main building was later renovated by Rudy Ricciotti from 2004 to 2006 to become a university campus, while the nearby grain hall was also converted for academic use.
The name Grands Moulins de Paris recalls the site's role in feeding the city, and today students from around the world walk through the same courtyards. The former grain hall, now called the Halle aux farines, has become a place for classes and lectures, keeping a link with its past through its name and scale.
The campus is easily reached by public transport, with several bus and metro stops nearby, and the main entrance is on the quai Panhard-et-Levassor. Visitors should note that some areas are restricted to students and staff, but the exterior facades and the surrounding gardens are open to the public during daytime hours.
The building's quadrilateral shape and neo-classical style are unusual for an industrial mill, and the preserved structure includes a round window near the top of the tower that is often missed. The site also houses the Grands Moulins Library, which serves both students and the public.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,484 contributors worldwide.