This former mill, now converted into a bed-and-breakfast, invites you to slow down

This is the story of a watermill that belonged to the Maillard family for five generations and ceased operations in the 1970s, like so many others at that time. Purchased in 1997 and converted into a bed-and-breakfast, it welcomed travelers for about twenty years. When it went on the market after the lockdown, Jérémy and Nicolas—two men from Lille looking for a new career path—fell in love with the place and decided to make it their home. Year after year, the couple has been renovating the mill and writing the next chapter of its story.

Leaving Nothing to Chance

As you arrive via the gravel path at the end of which stands the imposing building covered in Virginia creeper, the magic of Moulin Moulin has not yet been revealed. You have to wait until you’ve pushed open the little white door, stepped onto the black-and-white checkered tile floor, and crossed the entire width of the house to discover the treasure this place holds. There, before us, a captivating pond stretches out in a natural setting spanning nearly two hectares. An immediate sense of tranquility sets in, enhanced by the site’s seclusion. There are only six rooms, divided between the main house and the former workshops.

©PAM Studio

There’s also a cozy guesthouse that welcomes families in what used to be the caretaker’s house. The creaking staircase leads up to the Élia, Nina, Claude, and Anne-Marie rooms—named after the grandmothers of the two hosts. With colorful walls, elegant zellige tiles in the bathrooms, and decor that blends vintage and modern styles, the atmosphere has been tastefully crafted by Jérémy and Nicolas themselves—the latter having not forgotten a thing from his former career as a designer. Everywhere, mood lighting bathes the spaces in a cozy glow and evokes the warmth of a family home.

Preserving the Past

Not much remains of the mill except for the old stone walls and the pond, which never runs dry thanks to the two springs gushing from within it. Purely ornamental, the waterwheel installed by the former owners continues to turn as a testament to a history that Nicolas and Jérémy are committed to preserving. They also enjoy looking through the old photos preserved by the Maillard family before undertaking their annual renovation work. The most recent project was transforming the main room under the roof trusses into a bright breakfast room, which will soon host a table d’hôtes.

In the meantime, a small selection of food is offered in the evenings: charcuterie boards, smoked fish, or salads made with market-fresh produce. To satisfy late-night cravings, a clever “honesty bar” featuring soups, salads, and hot dishes in jars has been created. Sausages, local beers, kombucha, and fruit juices round out this self-service “honesty bar”—the perfect excuse to enjoy an aperitif on the small wooden terrace overlooking the pond while watching moorhens and coots. As the sun sets, small lanterns light up here and there. The light enhances the English-style garden, where hydrangeas, weeping willows, and daylilies bloom. The view becomes a spectacle, and you’ll find yourself lounging on the deck chairs until the very last rays of daylight.

The Call of the Open Sea

The garden-facing rooms, oriented due east, are gently awakened by the sun’s rays filtering through the curtains. The hours stretch out in the linen sheets and on these mattresses made of sheep’s wool, which the couple takes care to flip after each guest’s stay. At breakfast, Jérémy warmly welcomes his guests. On the ceramic-tiled table, the spread isn’t lavish but is thoroughly satisfying. On the menu that morning: yogurt and homemade jams—featuring kiwis, rhubarb, and lavender from the garden—delicious peanut granola, and a moist almond-orange blossom cake. As a bonus, eggs from the chickens that roam freely on the property. Activities for the rest of the day depend on the weather: board games and reading keep us occupied on rainy days, unless we decide to take a stroll along the many coastal trails, wearing boots lent to us for the occasion.

When the sun is shining, we grab a bike, and it only takes a few pedal strokes to reach the dunes of Mont Saint-Frieux. At the end of the bike path lined with pine trees, the North Sea sparkles. Calm reigns supreme; the Opal Coast unfolds before us. It’s the perfect opportunity to head on to Merlimont to savor Alexandre Gauthier’s seafood platters at his two-toque-rated open-air restaurant. There’s no shortage of great restaurants in the area—in Le Touquet or Montreuil-sur-Mer—enough to turn your stay into a rich gastronomic adventure.