So what do you see at the Buding Mill? Virginie and Aurore transport us back in time. Above all, this mill is the story of a family of 18th century millers and an unpredictable river, the Canner. Initially, they produced flour here. But they were not the only ones doing so and whenever the competition became too strong, they sought to distinguish themselves.
Thus, they switched from flour to oil for lighting. When oil became too common, they switched to hemp and wool, becoming a genuine weaving plant. For each of these production stages, it is possible to see real machines still in use as well as the equipment which provides a perfect illustration of the resources of the time and immerses us in the past.
From the outside, nothing would lead you to suspect that it holds a mill in perfect working order. But the most noticeable object behind the window is the fully restored cast-iron and wooden wheel which is still in operation.
It is THE star of the museum! The Canner River, which flows through the mill, activates the wheel which in turn activates a system of gears which grinds the grain on the first floor. Everything works as it did in the olden days. The next part of our visit takes place behind the scenes with a visit to the workshops where you can make your own rapeseed oil and flour.
These activities available to schoolchildren, can also be enjoyed by the whole family on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. A great way to enjoy a fun, manual, friendly and original activity together! We love it! Our visit continues outside in a peaceful and quiet setting. Antoine, a biodiversity enthusiast, shows us his world with his completely natural garden. No human intervention here and even fewer chemicals! As a result of this experiment, many animal species are returning to the Canner River, including certain birds and butterflies which could no longer be found in the area.
