Challain-la-Potherie : Rat windmill

Built between 1796 and 1827, then enlarged shortly after 1859, this mill was a symbol of shale buildings in the Segré region. Sleeped in shape as a tower, it measures 9 meters in height and has three stages accessible by a narrow scale depending on the curvature of the wall. Its Berton wings allowed it to activate three pairs of grinding wheels to the 1930. Subsequently, a diesel engine was installed, replaced around 1950 by an electric motor. Non -operational in 1936, the mill only crushed grains for livestock feeding. Since 1978, the emergence of ecology has enabled its renovation, in particular wings, thanks to a descendant of the family of Moininard Meuniers. The roof is manipulated by a winch on the third floor, where the grinders are running on the second floor, driven by the hedgehog and three crowns; On the ground floor are the bluerie and the sinking area. Since the wings and poles were restored (under the leadership of André Croix, carpenter, in 1992), the mill has been working again thanks to the wind. Since 1991, he has benefited from a cereal contingent, which allows him to produce white flour for the bakery, a unique service in the department of Maine-et-Loire.