Visit of the Moulin de la Veyssière, production of Walnut oil from Périgord!

Discover the Moulin de la Veyssière, a very authentic water mill in Périgord Blanc, family run for 7 generations (1857) by the Elias family, who go to great lengths to make this meeting a friendly and attractive moment for all! Guided tours are organized where you can see the mill in operation or in any case discover how from a basin, one arrives at this translucent, pure, olfactory and so exquisite elixir… Walnut oil from Périgord! Nuts, but not only, because this mill which was also a grain flour mill (and a bakery ) is still in operation today for the production of various nut oils: Walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts... Sweet and lightly roasted, these oils are a real treat. Come and learn more about how they are made, have a tasting and shop at the boutique. Remember to bring a picnic to enjoy the museum space in an orchard… And all this for free!

Photos of the article © Guide du Périgord, unless otherwise stated under the photos

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A watermill, a family, a story

The first traces and mentions of a mill at this location (at a place called La Veyssière), date back to the ^13th century. It is on the watercourse of the Vern that this mill is located (in Neuvic, not far from Saint-Astier and 25 minutes from Périgueux), to take advantage of the flow of water and ingeniously turn the millstones. On April 19, 1857, Paul's rear rear (rear rear...) grandfather who is visiting us today, buys the mill (whose chronology you will study in the adjoining free museum ) and embarks on a exciting adventure which will carry 6 generations of his family towards this activity so authentic that is the milling, the manufacture of flour but also oilseed oil. In 1902, one of his descendants opened a bakery in the space now devoted to the shop, then in 1933, a flour mill (the manufacture of flour from cereal grains) was born. This activity stops after several adventures and vicissitudes of life in 1971, but 6 generations later, the manufacture of walnut oil continues in the Moulin de la Veyssière, which still belongs to the same family. In 2012 the mill opens to the public to make known this process so interesting and intriguing that is the manufacture of oil and in 2021 the project is completed by the young generation of the Elias family in the person of Paul, with the creation from the museum and the orchard just opposite the mill. It is now a great educational and tourist project, full of family values and local produce . The visit of the Moulin de la Veyssière offers as much the attraction of a good instructive moment, as the promise of being able to buy a high quality Périgord product, which will fill you with happiness at the time of your meals.

Let us introduce you to 5 gastronomic delights of Périgord that you absolutely must try during your stay. Of course, Walnuts from Périgord and its derivatives such as Walnut oil are part of it!

Walnut oil from Périgord is quite a story in the Dordogne! We are proud to be the second producing department in France, our walnuts are vigorous, fleshy and rewarded with an AOP. It is a pleasure product as much as it is useful and healthy. Walnut oil (but also hazelnut, almond and peanut oil produced on site at the mill) is a product that is eaten raw. Mean by that that it would be a shame to heat it (in a pan to grill sausages for example!), because you will deteriorate its organoleptic properties and the good nutritional values that it could bring you... Used even in cosmetics, this are concentrates of benefits. We taste these oils just like that on a piece of very fresh country bread, or in a line on a crunchy salad, a pan-fried vegetable, to give smoothness to a soup, a dessert or even in desserts. Walnut oil goes perfectly with chocolate and exotic fruits…

Photo @ Moulin de la Veyssière

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Visit of the Moulin de la Veyssière

Park your car in the free car park. You are only 25 minutes from Périgueux, the capital of Périgord Blanc and all around, the region of Neuvic offers great prospects for a day or a family stay. Sport, visits to castles, pretty villages and proximity to the Périgord Vert, west-Gironde and south-Charente, it's perfect!

The Moulin de la Veyssière is located in a quiet place, on a quiet country road, one breathes tranquility. We will first hear the cooing of the water, which announces and confirms that we are in the right place! The front of the Mill is splendid, in season the Virginia creeper covers it with elegance, giving it even more cachet. On your left the mill, on the right the museum and the orchard, with its park dotted with picnic tables.

Visits to the mill last 45 minutes. Today, we are leaving with Paul, who will explain to us the history of his family mill, its operation and the products that result from these complex and yet so elementary water circulation operations to make this remarkable ensemble work. It all starts with… water! The water reservoir (the reach) channels the water from the Vern, which will then be directed by a system of locks to 4 separate tanks where there are spinning wheels. These are horizontal wheels, equipped with 10 blades each and which rotate mats causing huge millstones! 4 vats because there were originally 3 grain and 1 oil millstones. Today only 2 are in use, to make oil only.

After your visit to the Moulin de la Veyssière, go for a walk on the most beautiful walks and hikes in Périgord. There are so many beautiful things to discover!

Photo left @ Moulin de la Veyssière

Walnut oil production live!

The steps for making the oil, which your guide will explain to you, are simple but require great expertise:

• The shelled nuts, the kernels are placed in the oil wheel, which consists of two wheels. A horizontal frame and a 500 kg rotating frame which gravitates around an axis and grinds the kernels to transform them into a smooth and homogeneous paste. It takes 30 to 1h30 of work, depending on the oilseed and its hardness.
  
  
• This paste is then heated to 80 degrees in a large cast iron skillet, to extract its taste qualities and facilitate the next step. Heating also makes it possible to roast, offer this incomparable taste of toast, honey... and promote the conservation of the oil which remains impeccable for 18 months!
  
  
• Last step, the oil is pressed in a press dating from the ^19th century. It has been slightly " customized " by the Elias family, because previously 4 men of strength were needed to handle it and press the hot paste to extract the oil. Today, a 40-ton jack handles this perfectly. Technology at the service of tradition!
  
  

Even in the Dordogne there are traffic jams! Photo @ Moulin de la Veyssière

The oil is bottled on site, in a laboratory next to the museum. The bottles are labeled and ready to go to the store. The Moulin de la Veyssière also sells its oil to delicatessens, restaurants, regional shops, cheese makers, etc. 200,000 bottles are produced per year and an ambitious investment plan plans to double this quantity by a few years.

Visit the Moulin de la Veyssière online store to order these quality oils all year round, which you may have discovered on a guided tour?

The Moulin de la Veyssière shop is located in the old bakery, where you can still see the magnificent oven! You will find products made by the mill, but also derivatives, such as flour (great for cakes), spread (great for pancakes), and other sweet and savory delicacies. Think of your friends, bring them a high quality gourmet gift, direct from the Dordogne producer!

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We wish you a wonderful discovery of this mill and its inseparable family history.

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