Publication:

Moulins de l’Hérault. (de Ganges à Agde)

    Full details

    English titleMills of Hérault. (from Ganges to Agde)
    Authors & editors

    Cooman, Mentor de [Author]

    Publisher Patrimoine/ Etudes & Communication Editions
    Year of publication 2004
    Languages

    French (main text)

    Medium Book
    Edition1
    ISBN2911722310
    Topics

    Wind & watermills > Other Europe (not GB) > France

    Tags

    Scope & contentSummary Translation A historical guide to the mills in the Hérault department in southern France named after the Hérault River. Hérault part of the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées region of the country.

    Introduction discusses the region and the various types of windmills, and watermills in the area. Gives the genealogy of the hydraulic infrastructures. They showed their importance, in terms of water mills, from between the tenth and eleventh centuries. The watermill appeared in antiquity in the Mediterranean where one attributes the invention to Vitruvius with J.C. Pline mentioning their frequent usage in rivers in Italy. This type of mill survived close to Arles in Provence, France. The relics of an antique mill from Barbegal constructed at the start of the fourth century. It functioned thanks to an aqueduct. The introduction also introduces mills constructed in the Middle Ages.

    There is also a section on fortified mills; their construction, where they were found, their usage- mostly for grain and cereals. In Hérault, a representation of a fortified mill can be found on the tombstone of Bernard de Meze in the Gellone’s abbey (1170-89), who created it. Includes an introduction on changes in techniques and the economy from the Middle Ages onwards.

    After the introduction there are sections for individual mills in the Hérault area, for example Moulin de Ganges, Moulin de Laroque. Each section is taken from dossiers written and researched by Pierre David and from studies taken from the Association Arts et Traditions Rurales. Each section includes photographs, maps and information on; the location of the mill; its construction; the type of mill; and the key dates in their history, including alterations made to the structure, different owners, and new taxes etc.

    Copies held

    Accession no. 229272

    • Shelf location: C111-COO
    • Donor: Ken Major Collection
    • Advance notice required to view in person

    Pictures