Shadow Dragon

Moulin K

October 2025 | France | Extant

An interesting yet highly derelict water mill.

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HISTORY: there is little to no information available about this water mill. It was listed in a local bookkeepers’ report, citing quarterly production of flour for breadmaking. From my knowledge of buildings, the mill itself has two evident construction phases – one I would estimate dating from the 15th or 16th century (a small window with Gothic moulding), and then the 19th century (squared, coursed ashlar doorway, and a visible extension in height to the building evident in the gable where the wheels were). There were two overshot water wheels that each drove a pair of millstones. The wheels are long gone as of 2025, but the interior machinery is still there, albeit in a very bad state. The mill functioned until the 20th century at some point. It has lain derelict for decades, and the interior woodwork has rotted thanks to the humid air, causing the stones and gears to collapse. As of 2025 the site is totally derelict.

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THE EXPLORE: I parked up nearby and began the walk. Despite having lived a mere two miles away from the place for ten years of my childhood, I had no idea the mill was there. I walked along a beautiful woodland path and eventually heard the tell-tale sound of water cascading through a sluice gate. Soon enough, I found the mill hidden in the trees of the forest. Both the mill and the adjacent miller’s house are derelict. I didn’t bother with the house – I find houses far too personal and it feels wrong to me to walk through them.

Whilst the mill is a total utter wreck, I actually quite liked it. Where the stones have slumped and fallen, they have slightly slid off one another, allowing you to view the grinding faces specially carved to mill grain. I honestly liked this little place a lot. Enjoy the photos!

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