When we’re in Paris, we often stay in an apartment in Rue Lepic in Montmartre. Just across the road is a windmill called Moulin de la Galette.
This windmill is historic and well-known (maybe not quite as well known as the one at the foot of the hill… Le Moulin Rouge). It inspired artworks by, among others, Van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Le Moulin de la Galette by Vincent Van Gogh courtesy Wikiart
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Now it’s a restaurant. I couldn’t find out much about the windmill over the internet but I discovered there were 14 mills which made up “Les Moulins de la Galette” and now there are just two.
This one was built in 1622 as a wheat mill. In 1924 it was relocated from its original site further up the hill to its current position on the corner of Girardon and Lepic Streets.. It made a picturesque outlook from my apartment window.
The ”moulins” are indeed a nice piece of history! I can tell you a little bit more.. The windmill you see on the Picture is called: Moulin Le Radet the other windmill is called Moulin du Galette. In 1844, four men from the Miller-Debray family were involved in a fight with Cossacks, who had occupied Montmartre. Three brothers were killed, but the oldest survived, but he wasn’t longer able to work. He made of his windmill a ballroom. He served with the drinks a cookie, une Galette. And so they called the windmill..Moulin de la Galette! The cookie is still made! Moulin Le Radet and Moulin de la Galette are the only two remaining windmills of thirty who first stood on the hill Butte-Montmartre!
How fascinating! Thanks for the extra details. I’ll be in Paris next month so will have to try and find the “other” Moulin du Galette.
It’s in the same street, more or less hundred meter before Moulin Le Radet. It’s a little hard to find because you have to look up! I’m not sure if Moulin du Galette is open for tourists. I was there in July and the gate was closed with a lock. So, i don’t know if that’s forever..
Thank you I’ll check it out!