I bringma pierre au Moulinde Vaucelles

I’m doing my bit for the Moulin de Vaucelles

In Saint-Jean-des-Champs, in the heart of the Lucerne forest, you can spend a day helping to restore the Moulin de Vaucelles, surrounded by passionate volunteers.

With Patrick

Patrick Lahuppe, owner of the Moulin, accompanied by volunteers from the association "Sauvegarde du Moulin de Vaucelles".

Contact

Patrick Lahuppe 06 30 24 04 16 lemoulindevaucelles@gmail.com

Duration

All day: 9.30am – 5pm

Location

Moulin de Vaucelles: park in the Abbaye de la Lucerne car park or along the road near the entrance to the Lucerne forest. Continue on foot for 5 minutes along the path beside the River Thar, then turn left (do not cross the river). The entrance to the Moulin is then on the right.

Prices and practical information

Single price:€10 Corresponds to the price of membership of the“Sauvegarde du Moulin de Vaucelles” association. Possibility of obtaining a membership card after the Experience. Please wear practical, comfortable clothing. Coffee and meal included – contribute to the collective meal by bringing a starter or dessert.

You enter

in a place

Borrowed from History

You’ll meet at 9am at the Moulin de Vaucelles, nestling in its green setting in the Lucerne forest. You will be greeted by Patrick Lahuppe, the owner of the site, and the volunteers. Introductions are made over a cup of coffee. Patrick then tells you about the history of the site, whose existence has been attested since the 12th century. The “Sauvegarde du Moulin de Vaucelles” association is working to restore the mill, its primary aim, and then to pass on and share its history. The oldest evidence of the Mill’s existence dates back to 1160, when it was used for milling. From 1775, the Lahuppe family ran the mill, which belonged to the local lord, for 6 generations until 1934. Patrick was 15 in 1965 when he discovered the site in ruins. He bought it from the current owner in 2005, and now it has no roof, it’s just a stone skeleton… 20 years later, you can see for yourself how far the work has progressed, although much remains to be done!

You build

the revival

du moulin

Although you’re captivated by the story, you need to get to work! The work at hand consists of masonry. Never touched a trowel before? Never mind, Patrick and the other volunteers, such as François and Damien, will guide you through the preparation of lime mortar, a real recipe that you’ll knead like dough! Then, using a trowel and a cat’s tongue, or a flat joint trowel for the more difficult corners, you meticulously prepare the joints. Time for lunch! The bakery fireplace is smoking, the pizzas are ready to be eaten, and you bring your contribution to the table, which everyone shares. You take the opportunity to see the work that has gone into restoring the bakery, which radiates a gentle warmth.

Passion as

motivation

You’ll then go back to work on building a wall, learning about the importance of levelling and observing the stone to make sure it fits properly. In a friendly, hard-working atmosphere, you don’t see the time passing and the end of the day is already upon us. You enjoy a well-deserved rest to the sound of the Thar flowing by as you contemplate the site… Even though at the end of the day you may feel that you haven’t done that much, you leave satisfied that you have done your bit by contributing to the mill. A mill whose objective one day is to be able to work again! And to do that, you can come back as a genuine volunteer, as your monetary contribution entitles you to membership of the association! You’ll be able to discover many more of the mill’s secrets, although many have already been revealed to you during the day, thanks to Patrick’s passion.

Experience other

I’m doing my bit for the Moulin de Vaucelles

in a place

the revival

motivation

Agenda

Experiences