Who are we?

We, Olga and Philippe, met in a Taiwanese university 6 years ago. After years spent in overcrowded megalopolises, running a life of overconsumption in a polluted environment, we decided to radically change our lifestyle.

After graduation (Political Science for Olga and Psychology for Philippe), we decided to return to a healthier life, in tune with nature and the seasons. We wished to restore a balance where friendship, exchanges, and mutual aid would replace competition and rivalry.

In 2017, we discovered the watermill “La Buade,” at the foot of the Cathar castle in the village of Termes. It was love at first sight.

In a secluded valley of the French Corbieres region, the mill is hidden in lush greenery, in a haven of peace. The small river crosses the steep landscape and runs through waterfalls and canyons. The centuries-old mill, its basin and channels are refuges for the animal and plant biodiversity.

Moving away from the river, there are meadows, forests, then rocky peaks from which the medieval fortresses watch over the vast landscape. Entranced, we decided to settle there.

What have we done so far?

In 2018, using our own funds, we renovated the habitable parts of the mill. The millstones are now displayed in a clean and welcoming room and can be visited.

We also repaired a series of mechanical parts. The potence was redone by a local steelmaker and the esclop, the emblematic wooden piece in the shape of a horse that controls the amount of wheat being grinded has been repaired.

Our project

The watermill dates back to the reign of Louis XIV.

The mill had been producing flour by the force of water until the year 2000, when the breakage of the wheel drive system paralyzed it. Since then, it has remained inactive and abandoned. We want to bring it back to life.

To do so, we need to put the mill back into operation by repairing the drive system. After studying several technical options to restore the highly damaged drive system we finally found a sound solution.

But time is short, everyday, the submerged pieces of the drive system get more rotten by water and sediments. We should act fast.

The mill of Termes: A way of life from another time, an exceptional legacy