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The Moulin de Burdin, a centuries-old water wheel devoted to renewable energy
2 min read
Restored and refurbished, the Moulin de Burdin is a former grain mill driven by an original system of horizontal wheels. The site now runs wheat-milling demonstrations as part of guided tours that trace its history. An educational trail on sustainable energy rounds off the visit, with totems and hands-on activities that showcase environmental initiatives across the valley.
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A guided tour, from grain to bread
The guided tour "Balade au moulin : du grain au pain" introduces visitors to the Moulin de Burdin. It traces the mill's history, once central to life in the valley. Visitors see how grain was turned into flour, before tasting local produce.
La Fête du Moulin et de l'Énergie Durable
The Fête du Moulin et de l'Énergie Durable takes place every June at the Moulin de Burdin. Free and open to all, the event combines heritage skills with environmental themes. The day includes activities such as exploring the surrounding ecosystem and a trail dedicated to renewable energy. Visitors keen to combine exercise with tasting can also try the smoothie bike.
An educational trail on renewable energy
The site's educational trail uses totems made from recycled materials that invite visitors to try out six different renewable energy sources. A micro-turbine powers a miniature wooden gondola, and visitors can also piece together a mountain pasture chalet built around the principle of geothermal energy. The trail sets these experiences alongside environmental initiatives under way in the valley, including solar panel installations, a micro hydroelectric plant brought into service, biomass boiler plants, and a survey of Savoie's hydraulic heritage.
A water mill at the heart of Tarentaise heritage
The Moulin de Burdin is an integral part of the heritage of the Tarentaise valley. Sitting at an altitude of 1,450 m, it lies close to the Doron de Belleville river. For nearly two centuries, until the 1960s, it supplied wheat, barley and oat flour to families in the area.
Restored in 1996, the mill regained its picturesque charm, with its outdoor water channel and horizontal-wheel mechanism. Since then, it has served as a tool for cultural outreach, reviving age-old skills while prompting reflection on energy use.
Key points
- The Moulin de Burdin, a water mill at 1,450 m altitude near the Doron de Belleville, supplied wheat, barley and oat flour to families in the valley for nearly two centuries, until the 1960s.
- The mill was restored in 1996 and runs on a horizontal-wheel mechanism.
- The "Balade au moulin : du grain au pain" tour combines a commentary on the site's history with a tasting of local produce.
- The Fête du Moulin et de l'Énergie Durable, a free event held every June, runs activities centred on the local ecosystem and renewable energy.
- An educational trail introduces six renewable energy sources using totems made from recycled materials, including a miniature gondola powered by a micro-turbine.