Mill Day in the Dordogne
For several years now, the European Union has been highlighting its milling heritage on Mill Day. Throughout the continent, hundreds of visits and events are organized in the spring to introduce mills to the general public. If you’re staying at the Dordogne La Cigaline campsite during this event, don’t miss a visit to the two most beautiful mills in the Dordogne-Périgord region: Duellas and Porchères!
Moulin du Duellas: a breath of fresh air
Located less than ten kilometers from your campsite in the Dordogne, the Moulin du Duellas is nestled in the heart of the Isle Aux Trésors valley. When you arrive, you’ll discover a veritable treasure trove of greenery.
The Moulin du Duellas has been part of the Dordogne’s milling heritage since 1998. For over a century, it was used to make flour, cut wood and generate electricity using hydraulic power.
Today, the site near our campsite with swimming pool in the Dordogne welcomes many visitors to discover its history. From its quays, you can board a gabare, a traditional flat-bottomed boat. You’ll follow the banks of the Isle and pass through a manual lock. Finally, the Moulin du Duellas restaurant serves tasty Périgord cuisine made with fresh, local produce.
The Moulin du Duellas is not only open on Journée des Moulins. It can be visited every day from May to September, from 2 to 6 pm, except Mondays.
Moulin de Porchères: a jewel of France’s industrial heritage
The Moulin de Porchères is located some fifteen kilometers from your campsite, on the banks of the Dordogne River. Opened to the public in 2016, this impressive stone mill stands at the heart of a UNESCO-protected natural site.
This historic building dates back to the 19th century. The gigantic machines used to grind wheat into flour are sure to amaze the whole family. The mill also offers bread-making workshops! Here’s your chance to discover all the secrets of this well-known ingredient of French gastronomy.
Around the site, you can enjoy nature on foot or by water bike. Stable and easy to use, these water bikes are an original way to discover the surrounding area. If you’re feeling peckish, the restaurant “La Guinguette du Moulin” will delight you with its local dishes before you return to enjoy the entertainment at our campsite near Neuvic.
Like the Moulin du Duellas, the Moulin de Porchères is not only open on Mill Day. The site is open every day except Monday, from April to the end of October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo credit: Père Igor / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
