Welcome to the enchanting world of windmills in France, where history meets contemporary charm.
The history of French mills is rich and varied: while there were more than 100,000 mills in France in the 19th century, the exact number remains unknown today, but their atypical charm remains and attracts many buyers. The term "mill" encompasses both the building and the machinery powered by two main sources of energy: water and wind.
Some "blood" mills were even powered by animal or human energy.
Imagine buying an old watermill, set in a bucolic setting close to nature, with the possibility of developing your own electricity production. These properties often offer much more than just a mill; you'll find outbuildings, spacious grounds, and sometimes even a swimming pool to cool off in after a day spent exploring the wooded surroundings.
Windmills, meanwhile, offer commanding views of the coastal landscape or the south of France, and some are even located close to the Loire, majestically bordering a peaceful river. Some may require renovation, but imagine transforming a ruin into a refined, livable residence of character, imbued with a warm atmosphere thanks to its beautiful entrance hall and period fireplaces.
Every room in these properties tells a story, with renovated spaces, modern kitchens and floors offering breathtaking views. Some of the mills have been completely renovated, ready to welcome a large family or to become the ideal location for a business project.
On ma-propriete-prestige.fr, you'll discover a selection of mills for sale, ranging from water mills in the countryside or close to beautiful city districts to windmills on the coast and in the south of France. These properties often offer a bucolic setting, ideal for a primary or secondary residence, or even a tourist or professional project.
A water mill in the countryside can provide an idyllic setting and the opportunity to develop your own electricity production. Windmills, on the other hand, are distinguished by their round architecture and their dominant position in the landscape.
By exploring ma-propriete-prestige.fr, you will discover 18th-century flour mills that have been completely renovated, with spacious rooms and outbuildings converted into living spaces. These properties offer a unique opportunity to acquire an exceptional real estate heritage, steeped in history and modernity.
Whatever your plans, buying a flour mill is much more than just a property purchase. It's an immersion in the history, charm and infinite potential of these French architectural gems.
Take a look at our range of ads from private individuals and property professionals to find the mill that will bring your property dreams to life.
To sell your mill, ma-propriete.fr is the ideal site, attracting an audience looking for rural properties for professional or residential projects. The sale of a mill, for a variety of projects, will benefit from the features of our portal, allowing the ad to be displayed in several distinct sub-categories.
A hydraulic structure installed in the minor bed of a watercourse requires authorisation to exploit the flow of water: this is known as a water right.
This right is either :
Notarial deeds, Cassini maps, etc. must be referred to in order to prove that a water right is founded on title.
In the absence of a water right, it is forbidden to create or operate a hydraulic structure on a watercourse. But whatever the nature of the water right, it remains subject to the regulations of the Water Act governed by articles L210-1 et seq. of the Environment Code.
This is therefore an essential element to check when planning to buy a mill.
Buying a mill allows you to carry out a wide range of projects
The first option is to continue milling. Mills are companies whose main activity is the production of flour or the pressing of oil. Many mills are still in operation, and there is a Fédération des Moulins de France to represent them.
Many water mills have also developed an electricity-generating activity.
It is in fact possible to use the force of water to drive a wheel whose energy will be transformed into electricity. This kind of diversification requires administrative authorisation, and therefore the support of competent professionals.
Mills are places where people live and do business, and often have a very large building surface area. It is therefore very common to find advertisements for mills for sale requiring major renovation work.
It will therefore be necessary to undertake major renovation work. You'll need to put a figure on these costs and be able to plan ahead to see the property after renovation.
This is an interesting opportunity for lovers of old stone who want to breathe new life into a remarkable property. The future sale of such a renovated property also offers attractive capital gains prospects.
The land is also often large enough to create a garden or park by the water.
The setting of water or wind mills often makes them very popular with tourists: commanding views over the surrounding countryside, a rural setting on the water's edge, proximity to ponds and forests, etc. The large surface area of the buildings opens up very interesting opportunities for developing a tourist reception project: gîtes, guest houses, camping, function rooms, etc.
As with any property investment, the purchase price of a mill varies greatly depending on its size, condition and geographical location.
You can find advertisements for mills for sale for less than €200,000. In that case, you'll need to consider renovation work, which can be extensive.
The most prestigious properties often include a mill and renovated outbuildings that have been converted into luxury tourist residences. These properties are for sale at prices well in excess of €1 million.
So buying a mill remains an affordable investment, offering charm, history and potential.
