Imagine standing before this grand structure, this timeless testament to a bygone era of windmills and flour production. Here, on the outskirts of Paris, we find the Moulin du Sempin, the only windmill still in existence in the entire Seine-Saint-Denis department. This towering windmill, a majestic sight in its day, stands on the site of several previous windmills.
The first one, constructed in 1525, was called the Moulin des Bruyères. It proved to be too old and obsolete by 1740, when it was replaced by the Moulin de la Tour. Its name changed in 1896 to Moulin de la Galette, reflecting its newfound popularity as a Sunday picnic destination. Despite its charm, the windmill’s fate was uncertain.
However, in 1972, a group of dedicated locals recognized the importance of preserving this piece of their heritage. They formed an association to save the Moulin du Sempin. But the journey wasn’t easy. The terrain, riddled with old gypsum quarries, was incredibly unstable.
The decision was made to move the Moulin du Sempin, painstakingly disassembling it stone by stone. It was reconstructed, brick by painstaking brick, 140 meters from its original location.
The Moulin du Sempin, with its 17-meter height and 23-meter wingspan, stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of those who believe in preserving the past for future generations.