The Moulin SPINNEWYN, or Moulin de la Victoire, was erected in 1993 in memory of the gendarmes who took part in the Battle of Hondschoote (1793).
In September 1793, an Anglo-Hanoverian coalition wanted to invade Republican France and re-establish the monarchy. To achieve this, English troops laid siege to Dunkirk. Called to the rescue, the French army led by General Houchard valiantly repelled a Hanoverian offensive on the territory of Hondschoote. The decisive assault was made at the foot of a mill, the SPINNEWYN mill, by the men of the 32nd Gendarmerie Division, who saved France from invasion.
A century later, the threatening SPINNEWYN mill was pulled down. To celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Hondschoote, it was decided in the early 1990s to rebuild the mill at the foot of which the gendarmes had fought.
The SPINNEWYN mill is a windmill on a pivot. Inside, a set of millstones ensures the production of flour, exclusively for local festivals.
Tours are available on the following dates: April 25, June 27, July 18, August 1 and 22, September 12 and October 24 at 10am. Reservations required at the Hauts de Flandre Tourist Office. Outside these dates, visits by appointment only.
In September 1793, an Anglo-Hanoverian coalition wanted to invade Republican France and re-establish the monarchy. To achieve this, English troops laid siege to Dunkirk. Called to the rescue, the French army led by General Houchard valiantly repelled a Hanoverian offensive on the territory of Hondschoote. The decisive assault was made at the foot of a mill, the SPINNEWYN mill, by the men of the 32nd Gendarmerie Division, who saved France from invasion.
A century later, the threatening SPINNEWYN mill was pulled down. To celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Hondschoote, it was decided in the early 1990s to rebuild the mill at the foot of which the gendarmes had fought.
The SPINNEWYN mill is a windmill on a pivot. Inside, a set of millstones ensures the production of flour, exclusively for local festivals.
Tours are available on the following dates: April 25, June 27, July 18, August 1 and 22, September 12 and October 24 at 10am. Reservations required at the Hauts de Flandre Tourist Office. Outside these dates, visits by appointment only.
