Welcome!
European Mill Days
And milling heritage
An annual event organized by the Fédération des Moulins de France (French Mill Federation) to open the doors of mills and showcase their history, how they work, and their role in our regions, from yesterday to today.
A mill for …
crush, grind, pulverize, press, mix, sharpen, grate, beat, chop, knead, mix, drill, propel, lift, saw, forge, pump, light, polish, glaze (ice cream maker), twist...
May 16 & 17, 2026
A weekend to discover mills throughout France and Europe!
Types of sites to visit
Windmills
Water mills
Tide mills
Flour mill
animal-powered mill
Wind turbine
Mill sites
Other sites
Days for...
Discover, rekindle curiosity
Discover the mill, an essential tool in human life. Learn about its origins, human ingenuity, and the improvements made to transform primary energy sources (muscular: animal or human, wind, hydraulic, marine) into mechanical motion.
And honor
all those who have worked, sometimes for decades, to preserve and pass on the heritage of mills and their ecosystems.
Mills of all types
Architecture through the ages
Landscapes
From raising awareness to biodiversity
Discovering flora and fauna
The locations where millstones were extracted
And above all, enthusiasts!
Key figures
The JEM, the genesis
The idea of organizing a day dedicated to mills and open to the general public was born in 1995 on the initiative of the Fédération des Moulins, then the only national organization of its kind. This first event was held on the third Sunday in June. In response to growing enthusiasm, the event quickly expanded to two days. In 2002, the creation of the Fédération des Moulins de France (FDMF) marked a new stage, and from 2002 to 2006, the mills continued to be open to the public every third weekend in June. In 2007, the Board of Directors undertook a fundamental review in order to give the event a more European dimension. The decision was made to move the event to the third weekend in May. At the same time, a partnership was formed with the MOLERIAE association, which is dedicated to promoting milling heritage. In 2008, the event officially took the name European Mill and Milling Heritage Days.
22 000
visitors in 2025
16
participating countries in Europe
317
participating sites in 2025
About
The Federation of French Mills
The Fédération des Moulins de France (FDMF) is a non-profit organization recognized as being of public interest under the French law of 1901. It brings together 120 regional associations and 200 individual members, including businesses and local authorities, forming an active network of around 3,500 people committed to mills. Since 2002, it has been working to preserve, promote, and raise awareness of mill heritage among the general public and institutional stakeholders. Modern yet traditional, mills have a bright future, and the FDMF is working to place mills at the heart of current issues: water, climate, biodiversity, energy transition, culture, tourism, etc. It acts as an interface between the field and public policy.
Spotlight on our mini-series
One Sunday
A mill
While waiting for the JEM, the mills are making their way onto the web. To tell a story, share a before/after restoration, explain a mechanism (how a wheel or millstone works, etc.), or show a detail that would otherwise go unnoticed. These are all gateways to (re)discovering these places through the eyes of those who bring them to life: owners, millers, association presidents, volunteers, heirs, and elected officials. Short videos, simple formats, and authentic content to convey, touch, and perhaps inspire... to go and visit a mill on a Sunday!
Join the adventure
Are you the owner or manager of a mill? European Mill and Milling Heritage Days are the perfect opportunity to open the doors of your site, share your story, and showcase your commitment to the general public. By registering for the EMDH, you will be participating in a national and European event coordinated by the Fédération des Moulins de France (French Mill Federation), benefiting from increased visibility and helping to create a collective dynamic around mill heritage. Registration is free.
Organizers, partners, and sponsors
They support us
