Moulin de la Charité

Within the serene grounds of Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris’s 14th arrondissement stands the Moulin de la Charité, a remarkable vestige of the city’s agricultural past. This historic windmill, one of the last surviving examples from the dozens that once populated the Montrouge plain, offers a unique glimpse into pre-industrial Paris.

Origins and Early History

The brothers of Saint-Jean de Dieu, a Catholic religious order also known as “de la Charité” (of Charity), built this windmill in the mid-17th century. The structure derives its name from this religious order. During this period, Paris’s outskirts remained largely rural, with windmills serving as essential economic structures that ground grain into flour for local communities.

The windmill exemplifies the functional design typical of 17th-century milling structures—built to harness wind power efficiently rather than for architectural grandeur. Its practical design served the local community for over a century before the French Revolution dramatically changed its purpose.

Revolutionary Transformation

During the French Revolution, the Moulin de la Charité transformed from a religious property to a secular gathering place. Revolutionary authorities converted the windmill into a “guinguette”—a popular open-air dance hall and tavern where Parisians gathered for entertainment, dancing, and refreshments. This repurposing reflected France’s broader social and cultural shifts as the new government secularized religious properties.

Integration into Montparnasse Cemetery

In 1824, Paris established the Cimetière du Sud (Southern Cemetery), later renamed Montparnasse Cemetery, as part of the city’s modernization efforts. Officials created the cemetery to address growing public health concerns about overcrowded burial grounds within the city center. The cemetery incorporated the Moulin de la Charité into its newly expanded grounds during this development.

Following its integration, the windmill found new purpose as the home of the cemetery guardian. This practical repurposing ensured the structure’s preservation while urban development claimed many other historic windmills throughout Paris.

The Windmill Today

Today, the Moulin de la Charité stands empty but preserved as an important historical landmark within Montparnasse Cemetery. While no longer functioning as a windmill or residence, it is a tangible reminder of Paris’s pre-industrial era and evolving landscape.

You can view the structure from Boulevard Edgar Quinet, though the interior remains closed to visitors. The exterior provides an authentic example of 17th-century French windmill architecture largely disappearing from the Parisian landscape.

Montparnasse Cemetery: Context and Significance

The Montparnasse Cemetery, where you’ll find the windmill, covers approximately 47 acres, making it the second largest cemetery in Paris. Established in 1824, it contains over 35,000 graves. It is the final resting place of many notable figures including philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, playwright Samuel Beckett, and numerous other intellectual and artistic luminaries.

The Moulin de la Charité’s presence adds a distinctive historical dimension to the cemetery, connecting visitors not only to the notable individuals interred there but also to Paris’s agricultural heritage.

Planifier votre visite

Localisation et accès

• Adresse: 3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 14th Arrondissement, Paris
• Métro: Edgar Quinet or Raspail stations (Lines 4, 5)
• Bus: RATP Bus 68

Informations aux visiteurs

• Open to the public daily
• No admission fee
• Photography permitted (please respect mourners)
• No animals allowed in the cemetery
• Typical visit duration: 1-2 hours

Attractions à proximité

• The vibrant Montparnasse district with its cafés and cultural venues
• Tour Montparnasse, offering panoramic views of Paris
• The catacombs of Paris

Historical Context: Windmills in Paris

The Moulin de la Charité represents one of the few remaining examples of what was once a common sight on the Paris skyline. In the 17th and 18th centuries, dozens of windmills dotted the hills surrounding Paris, particularly in areas like Montmartre and Montrouge.

These windmills served crucial economic functions, processing grain for the growing population of the capital. As Paris expanded and industrialization replaced wind power with steam and electricity, most of these historic structures disappeared. Today, only a handful remain, including the Moulin de la Charité and the better-known Moulin de la Galette in Montmartre.

Experience Authentic Historical Paris

The Moulin de la Charité connects you to Paris’s pre-industrial past. While it lacks the architectural grandeur of the city’s famous cathedrals or the romantic allure of structures like the Moulin Rouge (which, despite its name, was never an actual working windmill), the Moulin de la Charité possesses something perhaps more valuable: historical authenticity and a direct link to the everyday life of Parisians across the centuries.

When you venture beyond the well-trodden tourist paths of central Paris, this modest yet significant structure rewards you with a genuine glimpse into the City of Light’s layered history.