The Windmills of Montmartre: Paris’ surviving windmills

The steep rue Lepic (18th arrondissement) that climbs the hill of Montmartre gives access to Paris‘ two surviving windmills. Commonly named ‘Moulin de la Galette’, the site actually comprises two windmills: Moulin Radet and Moulin de Blute-Fin. Let’s find out more about the history and anecdotes of the Windmills of Montmartre.

The Windmills of Montmartre: A bit of History

The windmills were used to grind the flour and press the local grapes and stand 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 its corpse nailed to the wings of the windmill. His surviving son decided to turn the windmill into a dance hall named ‘Moulin de la Galette’.

The Debray millers made a ‘galette’, that is a small brown bread 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.

Le Moulin Blute-Fin

The Blute-Fin Windmill is the only functioning windmill still standing in Paris. It was one of the thirty windmills that once stood atop the hill of Montmartre. Also known as ‘Moulin de la Galette’ it was constructed in 1622. Its name is derived from the French verb ‘bluter’ meaning sifting flour for the separation from the bran.

Now part of a private residence, the windmill is not accessible to the public.

Le Moulin du Radet

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 of Montmartre and the painters

The windmills have inspired many painters for many years: Corot, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Willette.

Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1876):

Le Moulin de la Galette by Vincent van Gogh (1887):

Le Moulin de la Galette by Vincent van Gogh (1887):

The Bal du moulin de la Galette by Toulouse-Lautrec 1876:

Find out more about the hill of Montmartre.

The situation of the Moulin Radet on Google Map: