Moulin Marie Ravenel

Discovery

The water mill

Travel to the 1811th century in the world of the miller and his daughter Marie Ravenel, poet who lived at the Coudrairie mill from 1838 to XNUMX. Discover an exceptional heritage and enjoy a unique and authentic experience. Throughout the visit, the “Norman Interior” exhibition immerses you in the daily life of yesteryear.

Living heritage

Dating from the 1935th century, the Coudrairie water mill operated until 64. It was then abandoned for 27 years until its purchase by the Community of Communes of the canton of Saint-Pierre-Eglise, which renamed it water mill by Marie Ravenel in homage to the miller poet who lived there for XNUMX years.

Coming to the mill, you will discover an astonishing site: a large bucket wheel, with a diameter of 3.20 m, made of iroko (African wood); a reach with an exceptional capacity of 500.000 liters of water as well as a magnificent thatched roof. Inside the mill, you can see the entire gear system as well as the mill's two pairs of grindstones. The permanent exhibition “Norman Interior” will immerse you in the daily life of yesteryear.

In the mill's teaching room built in 2009, a classroom from the 50s has been completely recreated and will surely remind many of their first steps at school. Finally, a traditional wood-fired oven was also built. It is the place of numerous events around bread.

Marie Ravenel, miller poet

Marie Joséphine Ravenel was born at the Coudrairie mill on August 21, 1811, to a miller father (Marin Ravenel) from Gonneville, and a spinner mother (Marie Lepoitevin). Marie has a sister. Very quickly, she develops above-average intellectual abilities. Self-taught, she knew how to read perfectly at the age of 5 and was passionate about this activity. Her parents having few books, it was the parish vicar who lent her books which she read with avidity. She particularly appreciates the theme of mythology.

At the age of 7, Marie began going to school in Réthoville and followed her classes diligently. It was at this time that she learned to write. At the age of 10, she was sent to board with a spinner but returned very quickly, missing her mill sorely. At 14, she apprenticed with a schoolteacher seamstress, with whom she said she had wonderful times.

It was at the age of 15 that she began to indulge in the pleasures of writing, starting with fables. 7 years later she turned to poetry to never leave this passion. She published her first collection at the age of 41 and received a very good reception in the world of poetry as well as in bookstores. 8 years later, she released a second collection, increased by 50 poems, to end up publishing her complete works in 1890, at the age of 79. All this makes her a talented and recognized poet in the world of poetry.

Marie also tasted the joys of love by marrying at the age of 18 to the servant who worked for her father, Yves Lecorps, illiterate and 10 years her senior. From this union three children were born: two boys and a girl. In 1838, and with immense regret, Marie Ravenel and her family left the mill to settle in Carneville for 10 years, then in Fermanville where she settled permanently.

In 1893, and at the advanced age of 81, Marie Ravenel died in Fermanville, in the home of her daughter-in-law.

In her honor, the Coudrairie mill was renamed “Marie Ravenel mill”.

Outside

Free and open access all year round. Picnic tables are at your disposal.

Shop

Come and treat yourself or yourself to the Moulin boutique. For those with a sweet tooth, you will find food and drink there!

Not to miss, " The bubbles of the mill », cider made with apples that grew in the mill's orchard. We also offer you all kinds of specialties from local producers (Norman aperitif, beer, apple juice, terrines, biscuits, jam, etc.).

For the curious, many Books are offered for young and old: books on Normandy, Cotentin, mills, cooking recipes... And for day visitors who have already fallen in love with the site or Cotentin, the shop is full of remembrances (postcards, magnets, stickers, key rings, candles, etc.).

Open Houses

The Moulin's diary