Moulin et musée rural du Steenmeulen de Terdeghem

About the museum

The present mill, of the Dutch type, was built of brick in 1864 to replace a wooden mill destroyed by a storm. For a long time it produced oil, and it still produces flour today. In 1912, Jérôme Vienne took over the mill, which then ran on a steam engine and later a diesel motor. In 1938, Michel Markey, a miller from a family of millers, took over the mill in poor condition and restored it; in 1980, new sails were installed with his son Joseph.

From 2000, Joseph and Véra Markey opened the site to the public. The museum of Flemish rural life, based on the collection of Marcel Leupe, and the museum of agricultural machinery and energy came into being. For the mill’s 150th anniversary in 2014, the house of his parents was reconstructed as it was in 1938, with automatons; a replica of a Persian mill (2017) and a replica of a horse-powered mill (2020) complete the park.

In July 2023, the association Les Amis du Steenmeulen announced the temporary closure of the site for an indefinite period, for health reasons. The miller Joseph Markey died in May 2024. No reopening date has been announced on the official website.

Highlights

• Brick windmill from 1864 with 24.7-meter sails, listed as a historic monument
• Three pairs of grain millstones and one pair of oil millstones
• Museum of Flemish rural life and agricultural machinery, with restored steam engine and still
• Miller’s house reconstructed as in 1938, with automatons
• Replicas of a Persian mill and a horse-powered mill in the park

Permanent exhibitions

• Le Steenmeulen, moulin à vent – Brick mill over three floors that can be visited, with its original equipment, three pairs of flour millstones and one pair of oil millstones.
• Musée de la vie rurale flamande – Collection of objects and agricultural machines from the early 20th century, with a restored steam engine and a still.
• La maison du meunier – House reconstructed as in 1938, with dining room, bedroom and kitchen, plus a film and two automatons that tell the story of life in the past.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Les Amis du Steenmeulen (association)

Admission & discounts

Guided tour prices displayed on the official website before the temporary closure: €5 per adult for the mill or the museum, €7.50 for both.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The reception hall, museum and toilets are suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. The visit to the mill is replaced by a more complete tour of the miller’s house, with explanations and video support on how the mill works.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The site welcomes families of all ages; the visits are adapted to the public with models and diagrams that explain the tools of the past.

Getting there & parking

By car: exit 13 of the A25 (E42).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Estaminet area in the reception hall with local drinks (beers, apple juice) and crêpes made with the mill’s flour. Sale of local products and mill flour. Picnics are possible; meals for groups on order.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

The reception hall can accommodate 100 people for professional or private events.

Plan your visit