Le Moulin du Radet

The steep rue Lepic that climbs the hill of Montmartre gives access to Paris' two surviving windmills. Commonly named 'Moulin de la Galette', the site actually comprises of two windmills; Moulin Radet and Moulin de Blute-fin. The windmills were used to grind the flour and press the local grapes and stood side by side. The mills were bought by the Debray family in 1809. In 1814, during the siege of Paris, the windmill was heroically defended against the Cossacks by miller Debray who was killed and his corspe nailed to the wings of the windmill. His surviving son decided to turn the windmill into a dance hall named 'Moulin de la Galette'. A galette' was a small brown bread made by the Debray millers which was sold with a glass of milk. In 1830 the Moulin de la Galette became a cabaret when the milk was replaced with wine produced in Montmartre. The Blute-Fin Windmill is the only functioning windmill still standing in Paris. It was one of the thirty windmills that stood atop the hill of Montmartre. Also known as 'Moulin de la Galette' it was constructed in 1622. it's name derived from the French verb 'bluter' meaning sifting flour for the separation from bran. Now part of a private residence, the windmill is not accessible to the public. The Radet windmill was built in 1717 and restored in 1760. it was originally standing side by side with the Blute- Fin windmill. In 1924, the Radet mill was moved to the corner of rue Girardon and rue Lepic. It now houses a restaurant. The windmills have inspired many painters for many years; Corot. Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Willette.
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