Moulin de 
Pézenas

In a very authentic hamlet in the South of France, between Montpellier and Béziers, shaded by centuries-old plane trees, stands the Moulin de Pézenas — one of the last historic mills of the Hérault region. Still operational until 1918, its origins date back to the 12th century. It was completely restored between 2014 and 2016 to become an ideal retreat in the heart of exceptionally preserved nature.

When Pierres d’Histoire acquired the property, the mill was in very poor condition and had undergone several unsightly alterations, probably during the 20th century. Uninhabited for nearly a century, it had fortunately been kept watertight, which helped preserve its essential structure.

“The building consists of two massive milling towers with an oblong plan, extended by a downstream spur, built in hard shell limestone. The construction took place over several periods. The foundations are medieval (14th or 15th century). The west entrance was protected by four machicolations supported by stepped corbels. Alterations and additions likely date from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The date 1728, engraved on the lintel, probably corresponds to renovation work. At the beginning of the 19th century, the mill was used for irrigation, equipped with a turbine and pump. The south façade was partly added and raised.”
Base Mérimée

After extensive historical research, it was decided to apply for classification as a Historical Monument — an easy decision given the building’s remarkable quality, ensuring its long-term preservation.
As part of the renovation permit, the only approved modification was the creation of three French doors opening onto the terrace, built with the same stone framing as the original mullioned windows.

Masons, carpenters, roofers — between five and ten craftsmen took turns for over a year and a half to bring this magnificent structure back to life. The restoration began with the reconstruction of the roof; most of the original framework was preserved and slightly modified to restore the overhangs of the beautiful Italian-style roof, traces of which were found in the wall corbels*. The terrace overlooking the river was rebuilt on the original foundations of the mill. The riverbanks were reinforced, and the entire water circuit around the mill was reestablished. Interestingly, workers discovered beneath the silt a black basalt stone quay stretching eighty meters long. During floods, access to the mill proved particularly difficult, and installing the electrical supply became one of the most challenging parts of the restoration.

Under the imposing 19th-century timber frame, the 250-square-meter interior was designed as a large family home, though each level can function independently. Since only the upper floor had been inhabited in the past, a new layout was devised for the ground floor that would respect the building’s industrial past. The decision was made to install large black-painted “picture windows” so they would visually blend into the façade. Terracotta tiles salvaged from under the roof were repurposed as flooring.

The layout of the first floor was simpler, requiring no changes to the façade. The main challenge lay in the floor plan, with several triangular rooms created by the projecting “spurs.” In this fortified building, the towers have pointed ends facing upstream to break the river’s current — a feature inherited from medieval military architecture that protected the structure from water damage. Traditional materials were chosen to remain faithful to the mill’s history: artisans used primarily lime and shell limestone from the Gard region, a sedimentary stone that reveals fossilized seashells. For the interior, soft and bright tones were favored, with linen and raw cotton textiles evoking the serenity and lightness of 'holidays in the South.' As in every Pierres d’Histoire property, contemporary pieces blend with antique furniture, aged beautifully over time. And as a subtle nod to the estate’s winemaking heritage, the interior doors are actually old wine cellar doors, restored and adapted for everyday use.