This mill, designated a Historic Monument since 1925, is undoubtedly the best known in Quercy, not only because it has long been open to the public, but also thanks to its magnificent scenic setting and its beautiful fortified structure.
Built in the 14th century by monks from the Cistercian Abbey of Les Alix, located two kilometers from Rocamadour, its construction took more than fifty years.
In fact, work began in 1292 and was not completed until 1350.
On July 19, 1778, the monks sold the building to a private individual; it was designated a Historic Monument in 1925 and remained in operation until 1959.
This mill is built on a watercourse, “L’Ouysse,” which initially flows underground and then follows an above-ground course of just 11 kilometers before emptying into the Dorgogne.
The water is dammed over a length of 1,600 km by a 6-meter-thick dam.
The entrance, now walled up, was originally a semi-arched doorway. It was accessed via a ford, the paving of which can still be seen in the water.
In those troubled times of famine and looting, the monks had a good means of defense here, for by closing the gate and opening the four sluice gates inside the mill, they created a powerful current of water that would drown any potential attackers.
This mill is equipped with four pairs of millstones weighing about 1.5 metric tons each, enclosed in a wooden frame, which allowed it to grind up to three metric tons of grain per day.
In 2008, a newly cut millstone was installed.
Mr. Faure gives visitors a tour and demonstrates how it works, while highlighting all the measures put in place by the monks to prevent looters from breaking in and stealing the flour.
Scale models help visitors better understand how it works.
The Cougnaguet Mill is a member of the Association des Moulins du Quercy
Fortified Mill of Cougnaguet
46350 Calès
Tél. : 05 65 38 73 56 & 05 65 32 63 09
Translated with DeepL.com
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