WINDMILLS AND WATERMILLS
OF THE VENDEE
3. LA TRANCHE AREA
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LONGEVILLE-SUR-MER |
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Picture from Longeville-sur-Mer tourist literature. |
Farther down the coast at Les Rabouillères, midway between Longeville-sur-Mer and the village of Angles, stands the pristine, newly-restored MOULIN DE BOTS PIAS, looking over a sea of maize and sunflowers - the last of 15 windmills that once operated in the commune of Longeville. A long wooden pole, or guivre, attached to the roof meant that the
top of the mill, with its Berton-style slatted sails, could be turned to keep
the sails facing the wind - a job for the miller's donkey. Bots Pias (the
name is derived from the local patois for "sabots plats", or
worn-down clogs!) - was built in 1819 and remained in service till 1955. |
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MELLE AREA (Deux-Sèvres) |
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Le Moulin de la Combe, a converted watermill turned into guest accommodation. |
If you fancy staying in a converted watermill, here is just the place - albeit a little way beyond the confines of the Vendée.. At Paizay-le-Tort near the medieval town of Melle, 28km south-east of Niort, Jason and Marie-Laure Satterthwaite have converted Le Moulin de la Combe to provide bed-and-breakfast and self-catering accommodation for - judging by the remarks guests have written in the visitors' book - an extremely appreciative clientèle! Le Moulin de la Combe, 79500 Paizay-le-Tort (tél/fax +33 (0) 5 49 27 19 23). Email: info@moulin-lacombe.com |
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