Moulin de l'Abbaye de Montieramey

The Moulin de l'abbaye de Montieramey opens its doors for the Journée du Patrimoine de Pays et des Moulins.

A little history:
The founding of the abbey :
A diocesan priest named Arremar founded a Benedictine monastery in 837 on land given to him by Count Aleran, a loyal servant of the Emperor. In 854, Charles le Chauve granted the monastery important rights and estates (this is the oldest deed in the Aube Archives). The abbey became rich and powerful. Poor people, attracted by this prosperity, came to work for the abbey, in exchange for the monks' help and protection.
It was during this very long history that the abbey's mill was created to the west of the site, on the River Barse.
The mill's primary function was to grind grain. The water reservoir also served other purposes, feeding the monks' and abbot's fish stocks and irrigating the monks' garden via a system of canals.
Existing buildings :
The miller's house and mill stand we see today were probably built just after the French Revolution. The walls of these buildings contain numerous remnants of the abbey church, which was destroyed after the Revolution and used as a quarry for materials.
Small hydroelectricity :
The mill operated until the 1960s. As the turbine, installed at the end of the 19th century, remained operational, it was possible, after restoration, to transform the milling installation into a power generation facility connected to the EDF grid. Of course, given the river's characteristics, the output is modest. Nevertheless, it represents the equivalent of the electricity consumption of around twenty households.
Historical heritage - landscape heritage
The mill's return to service in early 2016 has restored the millstream to its original appearance, which can still be seen on postcards from the early 20th century.
The facades of the surviving abbey buildings are now once again reflected on the now calm waters of the Barse.
Meeting point : Montieramey Abbey Mill

Last updated on 17/11/2023 - Troyes La Champagne Tourisme