On the banks of the Marne, in Chelles, stand the mysterious arches of a former XIXᵉ century mill. A vestige of a bygone industrial era, today this open-air site seduces walkers, heritage enthusiasts and photographers in search of urban poetry. A playful and intriguing journey along the Marne: discover the ruins of the Chelles mill.
Installed there since at least the XVIIIᵉ century (it already appears on Delagrive's 1740 map), the mill was rebuilt in 1861 with stone arches topped by wooden and cob levels. The ensemble dominated the Marne with elegance and utility: it served a vermicellerie, i.e. a nearby pasta factory.
But in 1875, a fire destroyed the upper floors. What remains today? Four majestic arches, as if escaped from another time, open onto the river, in the middle of a verdant setting. Battered by the elements, victim of other fires (the last in 1899), the mill was eventually abandoned. But the arches held firm. Restored, they are now open to the public, providing a unique backdrop for dreaming, photographing or simply sitting in silence as the Marne flows by.
And here's a fun fact: around 1877, the famous industrialist Menier (yes, chocolate!) bought the mill. Not to produce sweets, but to control the flow of the Marne downstream, and optimize his own mill at Noisiel. It's a nice technical detour in the history of a site that was first used for food production, then for... hydraulics.
If you like walks where history is revealed through damaged stones, places that seem suspended between abandonment and resilience, then the ruins of the Moulin de Chelles are well worth a visit. Set on the Quai Auguste-Prévost, these stone and brick arches emerge at the bend of a path along the Marne. Their half-faded silhouette invites you to daydream, while offering urban explorers a unique experience: here, adventure is totally legal, free and respectful of heritage.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
Location
Ruins of the Moulin de Chelles
3 Quai Auguste Prévost
77500 Chelles
