Girard windmill

Windmill - Petit-Canal

Discreet, hidden under vegetation, the Girard windmill is reminiscent of the intense sugar activity of the district. Built in the traditional way in limestone or rubble bound by a mortar made of sand, lime and battery syrup, with towers 6 to 9 m high, the wings oriented towards the east, facing the trade winds, the mills dominated the sugar refinery located below. The barrel of the mill was frustoconical and had three curved openings, the largest of which allowed the elements of the mechanism to be introduced (trees, lanterns, chassis, rolls, etc.). An access ramp facilitated the arrival of carts loaded with canes. In 1822, forty six windmills could be counted at Petit-Canal. The territory is still home to over thirty, several are still visible and relatively well preserved.