La Couscouillette

Here you see

a fairy tale place in the

south of france.

13th century mill

 

 

click to see how we renovated the mills

 

 

 

The Two Mills of the Couscouillette

These two mills were the built in the 13th century and described by Pierre Cabirol, a priest researching the history of Montlaur in the ancient archives of the Abbey of Lagrasse, as the first windmills in the South of France. The part on Catharism in 'Montlaur-En-Val' (1926), as the book is called, has a section dedicated to the Couscouillette mills. It makes fascinating reading. You can buy it online at http://www.editions-lacour.com They were built in the aftermath of the Cathar wars, in 1260. Simon de Melun, who had been put in charge of the village by the King of France, ordered them to be built. He rented the land of the Couscouillette, paying 12 bushels of grain, to be paid at 'Saint Michel' (on the 29th of September) once a year. Only water mills existed in those days in the South of France. Montlaur had no large rivers, so the villagers ground their wheat at home, using two flint stones, attached one on top of the other by a metal bar. Simon de Melun had been on Crusades to the East and seen windmills operating there. One mill was to be used for wheat, the other for coarser grains.

 

The mills were burned down during the 100 days war, in 1360, possibly by the Black Prince, and resurrected 80 years later by the Count of Malacoste. The original flint grinding stones are lying outside the Pointed Roof Mill to this day, an inviting seat for our guests.

For more on the history of the Mills of the Couscouillette please click on History of the Couscouillette Mills

 

Luxurious Tiled Dolphin Pool

 

large POOL 9.50m by 4m

solar panel heated

gorgeous terrace

 

 

Tennis Court of the Mills of La Couscouillette

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for info contact Margaret via

Holiday-Rentals.co.uk - property 7518

 

 

 

conservatory of La Couscouillette

 

 

Allan & Margaret's Private Pool

 

 

 

 

 

La Couscouillette

Stick around and listen to the stories about the inhabitants of this place, past and present, starting today with the facts about Henry, the Magnificent..The Story of Henry

Henry was one of 10 baby chicks. All of them were born in Bresse, that center of excellence for chickens. We, that is my husband and I, used to fool ourselves that living on a semi-farm we would actually farm our own dinners. Now, that is fine for tomatoes and other types vegetable life. But how can you eat a (be it) feathery person you know personally? It's cannibalism!

 

Then there's the fabulous story of Temps and Alaric the two Camargue horses,

roaming our hill side. You will meet them if you come and stay here for a vacation rental. In the 13th century mills, our holiday homes. 

 

 

 

 

Temps and Alaric

 

 

 

view from the mills over the valley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And of course, the story of Tigger, the kitten. 

 

 

Here you see Fifi, or as she was named officially,

Royal Fifi du Boschauzi. She is a Coton de Tulear. Click here to see her with her partner William

 

 

For those of you who love talking birds :) read all about Charlie, the Javah Mynah. And... the story of

Cookie and Sugar

And the sequel to that story called......Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is babyWilliam, dd 29-02 2004

Fifi's toyboy

 

 

 

 

Here 'La Couscouillette' you can see what the house looked like when we first bought it. Terrifying!!!!

 

About Us

If you want to stop smoking here you will find loads of important tips