Bazacle Milling Company, watermill system in Toulouse, France
The Bazacle Milling Company is a historic structure on the Garonne River in Toulouse that has ground grain since the 12th century and later generated electricity. The site consists of water channels, dams made of oak trunks, and stone structures that show the different phases of its transformation from traditional mill to modern factory.
The first mill appeared here around 1070, with floating mills on barges along the river until 1190, when land-based structures replaced them. In the 14th century, owners created an early joint-stock company where shares were traded, and by 1886 the site became one of France's first hydroelectric power plants.
The Bazacle mill was a place where people gathered for centuries to grind grain and share the rewards of their work. The water channels and old structures still show how the community used natural resources while creating new ways to work together.
The site sits directly on the Garonne and is accessible on foot via bridges and old water channels that connect different parts. The best way to explore is to wander slowly and observe the stone structures and water systems that reveal the connection to the past.
The Bazacle was one of the earliest examples of a joint-stock company, where owners bought and sold shares called uchaux long before modern business existed. This ownership structure let many people invest in the mill without owning it completely.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
