Musee des Moulins (Mill Museum), Lille

The Mill Museum (Musée des Moulins), located in the Cousinerie district of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, is a specialized museum dedicated to the history and technology of flour milling. Managed by the Regional Association of Friends of the Mills (ARAM), the museum's conception dates back to 1973, with its roots deeply intertwined with the preservation and celebration of milling heritage.

The journey of the Mill Museum began with the acquisition of the Olieux mill by ARAM in March 1974. After selecting Villeneuve-d'Ascq as its location in 1977, it took seven years of meticulous restoration to return the mill to its historical state. The museum site also includes a flour mill bought in 1979 and installed in 1980. This mill underwent significant renovations starting in 1984 and resumed producing oil in 1987. It was officially opened in its restored, operational state in June 1988.

Construction of the museum building started in 1992 and was inaugurated by Gérard Caudron in May 1995. Funded as part of the Interreg, a European cross-border project program, the museum not only showcases the mechanics of grain grinding and oil production but also delves into the historical, human, and symbolic aspects of mills.

Visitors to the Mill Museum can explore the evolution of milling technologies from the Neolithic era to modern times, encompassing a variety of milling instruments and energy sources such as humans, water, wind, steam, gas, and heavy oil. The museum also highlights the diverse professions related to the milling industry, including specialized carpenters and woodworkers like lumberjacks, pit sawyers, and millstone repairers, as well as blacksmiths.

Additionally, the museum features a rich display of symbolic iconography associated with mills, including advertising materials, decorative objects, signs, packaging, posters, and models. Several water mills and a collection of tools and parts used in flour milling enrich the visitor experience, making the Mill Museum a comprehensive resource for understanding the multifaceted world of milling.