The Towering Windmills of Paris

There was a time in France where windmills stood proud in the city of Paris. These windmills would grind up the grain from the Americas and turn it into fine flour — an essential recipe for making bread, which, at that time, was the staple food for the poor French families.

During period of abundance, the average wage earner in France spent as much as two-third of his income on bread alone. During shortages, prices could double, dramatically straining the finances of poor French families. As such, grain merchants were often detested and viewed with suspicion. They were accused of adulteration and hoarding grain to artificially raise the price of this vital commodity.

Some say that there were over 300 windmills that stood up in the city. These structures probably had lots of stories to tell, but unfortunately, most of them can no longer be seen in the present day, but there are a few that still stand.

Learn more about these windmills over at Amusing Planet.

(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)