“Imagine turning grain into flour using only the wind,” a pioneer might have said. That’s what happened at Parc du Moulin. This park protects a piece of history. It features a functional windmill. The windmill’s wings still rotate today. Parc du Moulin offers a glimpse into New France. Over 300 years ago, the miller used the Saint Lawrence River winds. These winds powered the windmill. The windmill transformed grain into flour. This flour fed the Île-Perrot lordship.
In 1672, Intendant Talon granted the island to François-Marie Perrot. Perrot was the governor of Montreal. He established a fur trading post. It faced Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. His estate farm was in the Grande Anse. This is near today’s Pointe-du-Domaine.
Charles LeMoyne bought the seigneury in 1684. In 1703, Joseph Trottier known as Desruisseaux and his wife Françoise Cuillerier bought it. They moved the estate to the point. They built their manor in 1705. The windmill was built in 1707-1708. The Pointe-du-Moulin park still showcases this magnificent windmill.
The miller’s house was built in 1786-1787. Jean-Baptiste Relle occupied it first. He lived there from 1786 to 1791. Charles Cytoleux known as Langevin then lived there. Both men were flour experts. The Île-Perrot windmill is special. It is one of only two functional windmills in Quebec. There were once 18 windmills. Pioneers from nearby areas knew the windmill well. It became an icon for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. The town of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot takes pride in this heritage.
The government of Quebec acquired Pointe-du-Moulin in 1973. They exchanged properties with the federal government. Quebec gave the St-Maurice mines in return. From 1977 to 1978, the park underwent restoration. The miller’s house and windmill were repaired.
Today, Parc du Moulin welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The Société de développement du Parc historique de la Pointe-du-Moulin was founded in 2008. Various local organizations joined together. Their mission is to manage the park. They offer activities to discover the park’s history and nature. They aim to preserve it for future generations.
Visit Parc du Moulin on weekends from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving. You can take guided tours of the windmill and miller’s house. Every weekend, there is bread tasting around noon in the miller’s house. Archery takes place at 1 p.m. There is also a visit to the Interpretation Centre. You can always walk the trails. The hard-packed trails are stroller-friendly. Enjoy the water views and picnic tables. You can even see downtown Montreal and the mountain. The walk around the small park takes about 15 minutes. It circles back to the parking lot.
Next door is the Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot Nautical Club. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and pedal boats. Or try SUP Yoga classes.
Parc du Moulin is free when there are no guided visits. This is during the off-season. The park remains open for picnics and walks. Residents of nearby towns get in free with proof of residency. Parc du Moulin hosts festivals and events. These include war reenactments and classic car shows. The park also hosts camping under the stars.
Parc du Moulin stands as a testament to the past. Its windmill still turns. It reminds us of the ingenuity and hard work of early settlers. Take a moment to imagine life as a miller. Feel the wind. Hear the gears grinding. Taste the freshly baked bread. This is Parc du Moulin. It is a journey through time.