Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet, Historic windmill in Fontvieille, France.
Moulin d'Alphonse Daudet is a stone windmill standing on a Mediterranean hill with white walls and wooden blades set in a tower. Pine trees surround the structure, creating a setting typical of rural Provence.
The windmill was built in 1814 to grind wheat and served the local community for many years. Its operation ended when military authorities requisitioned it during World War I.
Alphonse Daudet's literary tales made this windmill known far beyond the region, transforming it into a symbol of Provençal life. The building became tied to stories about rural France that readers still remember today.
Visitors can explore the windmill from April through November following marked trails that connect to nearby historical sites. The location is accessible by foot from the village center.
The structure received official monument status in 1931 primarily because of its connection to Daudet's writings rather than its architecture alone. This recognition shows how literature can elevate a humble building into cultural heritage.
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