Chollay Mill House Clearance in Saint-Chartres

A house clearance in an old mill

Saint-Chartres is a small rural Loudunais commune, north-western Vienne, next to Moncontour. Only about 130 inhabitants — one of the smallest villages in the department, nestled in the Dive valley. On 25-26 April 2026, 10am-6pm, a major clearance takes place at Chollay Mill, a former watermill adding heritage appeal.

Chollay Mill

A former water mill on the Dive, a small Loudunais river flowing to the Thouet then Loire. Like all Vienne mills, it once served local farms. Today a heritage building, it hosts this big clearance for a weekend, letting the public discover an otherwise closed site.

What to find

• Antique dishware (faience, porcelain, earthenware)
• Rustic small furniture
• Antique toys (plush bears, dolls, small cars)
• Mixed brocante: knick-knacks, frames, decor
• Unusual items (millstones, mill tools, farm accessories)
• Antique books, postcards
• Glass, ceramics
• Vintage textiles and linens

Saint-Chartres, a Loudunais micro-village

Saint-Chartres (86330) is so small it's hardly on maps: 130 inhabitants, no shops, just a church and a few houses. Part of Pays Loudunais community. Marked by the Dive and its tributaries, in typical north-Vienne hedgerows. Just the kind of place new-ruralists seek: absolute calm, preserved nature, discreet yet present heritage. Chollay Mill is one such quiet Loudunais gem.

Loudunais, between Poitou and Anjou

A historic region at the Vienne, Maine-et-Loire and Deux-Sèvres borders. Land of Théophraste Renaudot (Loudun), Urbain Grandier and the 1634 possessions. Heritage: Loudun (collegiate, square tower), Moncontour (Romanesque keep), Les Trois-Moutiers, Ceaux-en-Loudun, Puy-Notre-Dame vineyards (Maine-et-Loire). House clearances here are especially interesting — little skimmed by Parisian dealers.

Visiting tips

The 10am-6pm hours allow a relaxed visit. Come morning for the best choice, afternoon for Moncontour (5 min) and its medieval keep, or Loudun (20 min). Mill heritage fans: several Loudunais mills are open to visit (e.g. Deffends mill).