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The
old Billebaud windmill is situated north-east of the village. A
path, beginning in the heart of the village, winds along the crest
of the hill in the direction of Genouilly. As one follows the path,
little by little the windmill becomes visible. Seen first from afar
and then closer and closer, its side, now fallen in, can be seen
by walkers. Stone fences guide the visitor up to the windmill, situated
about 1 km. from the village. On their way, walkers can see a stone
cross, restored by the association and, if they continue past the
windmill, come to a hang-gliding take-off point and a viewpoint
over the village of Vaux-en-Pré. At some distance from the Billebaud
windmill there is a second windmill in the form of a slightly tapered
tower. |
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After
burning in a fire in 1880, the windmill was used as a stable until
1994, when its roof fell in, pulling down a large part of the building.
The edifice was in the form of a truncated masonry tower. Its two-sided
roof was covered with machine-made tiles. At the base, the outside
diameter is 5.90m. and the inside diameter is 4m. The height of
the masonry was 7.20m. under the roof beam and 6.40m. under the
semi-circular eaves at its lowest point. |
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