Moulin Banal et Musée de la Meunerie

About the museum

The Moulin banal of Braine-le-Château is a water mill documented as early as 1226. Originally it belonged half to the lord of the place and half to the chapter of Sainte-Waudru in Mons. Under the Ancien Régime, the peasants of Braine-le-Château and Haut-Ittre were obliged to grind their grain there and pay the lord a levy, the “banalité”, set at one sack in twenty-two.

The mill is an outbuilding of the castle and still belongs to a descendant of the counts of Robiano. The site has been listed since 1954 and the mill itself since 1970. The present buildings, in arkose or granite stone and local brick, were remodelled and extended in the 18th century. The mill operated until 1947.

Today the site houses a small milling museum. Visitors can observe the mechanism of the mill, with its millstones, gears and sieves, as well as the millers' tools, which show how grain became flour. In good weather the paddle wheel is set in motion.

The mill can only be visited as part of the guided tours organised by the Royal Syndicat d'Initiative de Braine-le-Château, by reservation.

Highlights

• Seigniorial water mill documented as early as 1226
• Mill mechanism: millstones, gears and sieves
• Millers' tools
• Paddle wheel set in motion in good weather
• Site listed since 1954, mill listed since 1970

Permanent exhibition

• Musée de la Meunerie – Mechanism of the water mill (millstones, gears, sieves) and the millers' tools, presented during the guided tours.

Operated by

Royal Syndicat d'Initiative de Braine-le-Château (visites guidées)

Admission & discounts

Price for the guided tour of the mill alone: €5 per adult, lasting about 30 minutes. The mill is also included in the guided tours of the historic centre.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Free for children under 12; school guided tours of the mill are offered for nursery and primary classes.

Getting there & parking

The mill is at rue des Comtes de Robiano 4, Braine-le-Château. The tours are organised by the tourist office of the Maison du Bailli (Grand-Place 20); when booking, ask about the meeting point.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit