The Val de l’Indre is marked by the mills. In effect, due to its strong slope, the Indre was very early equipped with mills: it counted up to a hundred
 Each mills had its own characteristic: mill for wheat or plaster, to saw wood or for kaolin (porcelain), but also to polish armour.
The Legend says that the armour of Jeanne d’Arc was made in the mill of Bourroux (nowadays demolish), in Montbazon!

> Les Moulins de Vontes in Esvres

Three mills with medieval origin on the Indre. The mechanism and the wheel are in perfect preservation. It is punctually open in July and August. A timetable of the visit is available at the Tourist Office of the Val de l’Indre in Montbazon. Part of it has got a disable access.

> Les Moulins des Fleuriaux et du Breuil in Monts

Le moulin des Fleuriaux (rue des Pâtis) is presented like a square tower with pink roughcast from the XVIIIth century, with stone bridge, hatch and wheel. On the other side of the road there is the House of the miller (XIXth). Commented visit of the mills by Pierre AUDIN (historian) are possible. (Only for groups on booking, for individual only during les Journées du Patrimoine 3rd we of September).
Duration: around 1h30
Prices: 5€/adulte, 2, 50€/ado, free under 12 years. 10 people minimum, 30 maximum.
Information: 02.47.26.97.87

Following the Indre, Others mills are noticeable from the road but not open to the visit.

> In Esvres, beside the Moulin de Vontes (Xème):

Le Moulin d’Avon
Le Moulin des Poulineries (Sourdillon’s factory)
Le Moulin de Port Joie
Le Moulin de Saulquet (on the Echandon, affluent on the left side of the Indre)
Le Moulin de Perrion (on the Echandon)

> In Veigné: le Moulin municipal.

This well-restored mill is now home for several local association. An attractive, large wheel is visible from the outside. There is a Pretty washhouse between the mill and the bridge.

> In Montbazon:

Le Moulin des Avrins dates from 1896 and is built in an Anglo-Norman style.
The Grand Moulin Ducal was rebuilt in 1771; it has got a large wheel to the back of the house, which stopped working in 1976.
Le Moulin de Braye (route de Monts). This mill is situated at the Château d'Artigny’s feet. Water used to be pumped up to the castle by a hydraulic ram. Rebuilt by François Coty in 1927, the mill was equipped with a power station for the castle.

In Monts, beside the moulins des Fleuriaux and du Breuil:

Le Moulin de la Fresnaye (rue du Val de l’Indre).  With its false green half-timbering, this mill on the route of Montbazon was rebuilt in 1928 by the perfumer François Coty.
Le Moulin de Beaumer: This mill was transformed into a flour mill at the end of the 19thC, and was owned by the Navy in the 1930s. The miller's house with a small turret stands opposite the mill.
La Maison du pont and de la Croix Rouge: This mill was the first headquarters of the Red Cross in Indre-et-Loire in 1914, hence its name. From 1880, it was used as the hydraulic ram for the Château du Breuil. Miller's house and public garden overlooking the Indre.

Le Grand Moulin. This mill ceased operating in 1988. Low relief (hemp and linen) visible on the cog wheel. Washhouse.
Les Moulins dits "de Balzac" (at the entrance of Pont-de-Ruan, to the left of the bridge): Mentioned as early as 1285, these mills were also described by the writer Balzac in his novel "Le Lys dans la Vallée". To the left is the Moulin Potard, which ceased activity in 1961 and to the right the Moulin Clauset, with a long overflow dating from 1852. The two mills to the right of the bridge are in Pont-de-Ruan.