The
Story of the Moulin de Vernègues ****
The
origins of the Moulin de Vernègues date back to the early
thirteenth century when it was the largest flour mill of the Domain
of the Lord of Vernègues which itself belonged to the Archbishops
of Arles.
 Little
by little, a stately home was built over the rooms, which vaults
have today been restored.
In 1400, the house became the property of the Damian family when
they received the Domain of Vernègues from the King of France.
The
Damians thus became linked with the grandest families of Provence
and their coat of arms can still be seen on the ceiling of the La
Roue dining room.
King René, the Duke of Anjou, used to travel from Aix for
hunting and feasting expeditions.
 The
bridge of Anjou was constructed in preparation for his visits and
its arch still guards the entry to the Royal Path…
In 1560, the Marquis de Sade married Anne of Damian…
A century later, the house, then named Bastide Saint Louis, was
passed into the hands of the Carthusian Monks, whose crest is engraved
on the fountain in the courtyard and on the mantle of the lounge
fireplace.
 The
French Revolution put an end to this period of tranquillity, when
the Moulin was parcelled out and sold, becoming a post house whose
courtyard now echoed to the sound of clattering hooves.
Many families succeeded one another at the Moulin de Vernègues.
All of them were taken with its charm and endeavoured to save from
ruin these walls steeped in history…
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