In Fayence, the Moulin de la Camandoule occupies a former olive oil mill whose history dates back to the 17th century. The present building was largely rebuilt in 1834, a date still carved into a stone in the lounge, and retains several visible reminders of its olive oil production.
A mill that still reveals how it worked
The old waterwheel, supplied by an aqueduct, powered the mill's machinery. Inside, the large millstone and old presses remain, once used with escourtins, fibre discs on which olive paste was spread before pressing. The mill produced oil until the mid-20th century.
Heritage transformed into a hotel and restaurant
Today the property houses a charming hotel, restaurant and swimming pool. Its conversion means guests can stay or dine within the former mill itself rather than merely admiring it as a heritage setting.
A story worth remembering
The frost of 1957, which severely affected olive trees in Provence, hastened the end of the mill's traditional operations. This history explains why so many technical features are still visible today, giving the property a genuine historical dimension beyond its role as a hotel.
