LE MOULIN DE LA CAMANDOULE

The mill has existed, in one form or another, since at least the fifteenth century. In fact, the aqueduct which brings the water of the Camandoule to the mill, probably dates from Roman times. - ancient Roman tiles and other artefacts were found when the foundations for the present swimming pool were excavated. The Camandoule turned the large wheel which you will see behind the glass in the entrance to the restaurant, and then flowed away under what is now the terrace into the river Camandre. The suffix "doule" incidentally is a Provencal diminutive; Camandoule therefore means, literally, "Little Camandre".

Originally the mill was part of the village of Fayence, then in the plain and an important agricultural centre under the protection of a Monsignor who had his residence there. When the conquering Arabs came in the 16th century, the villagers moved themselves and all their goods and chattels and houses up the hill to build the town we can see today. Obviously, however, a water-mill can't be moved up a mountain and had to stay where it was.

In 1834, It was rebuilt more or less as it is now. The date is engraved on one of the large stone-blocks around the presses in the salon. These blocks, all cut to the same standard pattern and size, were imported from Tuscany and can be seen in every oil-mill from Menton to Sète.

The Moulin de la Camandoule was in use until 1920 when Mr Tardieu, the last miller, died : -incidentally by then one of the richest Landowners of the Var. His two elderly spinster daughters had no wish to keep the mill going, and it fell into disuse.

By the time it was bought by Mr and Mrs Snyers in 1969 it was a ruin : and they spent several years restoring it to its former glory before they opened it as a hotel-restaurant in 1972. All the original 19th century machinery is its proper place and it is said that the mill could be made to function again in less than a fortnight.

Shirley & Wolf Rilla, the present owners who took over from the Snyers in 1986, have never put it to the test !

THE CANTON OF FAYENCE

Fayence, surrounded by Provencal hilltop villages, is the focal point for many excursions, 20 km from Grasse, 25 km from Cannes and 50 km from Nice. The Mediterranean beaches are between 17 and 25 km away. A must is a visit to what is know as Europe Grand Canyon - the sensational Gorges du Verdon, three-quarters of an hour away by car to the northwest and extending for 18 km. In the other direction, to the south-east, is the lake of Saint Cassien, a favourite spot for fishing, boating and swimming.

For further information, please visit the Tourist Office in Fayence.