Moulin de Villeneuve, Literary watermill in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines, France
The Moulin de Villeneuve is a 12th-century watermill on the Rémarde river with a large park, gardens, and pathways spread across six hectares. The building holds about 30,000 books, personal objects belonging to two writers, and hosts regular exhibitions on literature and contemporary art.
The watermill was built in the 12th century and ground grain until 1904, when it ceased its original function. In the centuries before, the building underwent multiple reconstructions and repairs that altered its form and purpose.
The mill carries the names of two writers who shaped their creative lives here, and their presence remains visible in how the rooms are arranged. The way visitors move through the spaces shows how this place became a hub for literary thought and artistic work.
The site is best explored on foot, with gardens and pathways easily accessible and requiring time for a leisurely visit. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind that rooms inside the building are small and dimly lit.
An old calendar inside the mill still shows the date of a particular day in June 1970, which holds significance in the site's history. This detail preserves a moment that was deeply important to the two residents of the house.
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