In its rich history, the Moulin à Tan, which crosses the Loir in the commune of Châteaudun (Eure-et-Loir), hosted in turn a tannery, a goldsmith and then, from 1920 until the end of the 20th century, a dependency of the former Mafca workshops, specialized in the manufacture of plastic tarpaulins for military use. Bought in 2011 by Charles Millet, artistic director of the Bois-Midi circus company, the site now has a cultural ambition.
“When he moved in, his goal was always to set up an ERP (Establishment open to the public) in theatre. But a lot of work had to be done,” explains Florence Ricci of the Moulin à Tan association, created at the start of the year. A highly anticipated 180-seat performance hall was inaugurated on March 4. “It is the fruit of ten years of rehabilitation, made possible by the support of all the local authorities and European funds”, she specifies.
Already a lot of animations available
In parallel with the activity of the circus people of Bois-Midi, the association of the mill in Tan, chaired by Charles Doradoux, already runs a cultural third place, made available to all local associations. “There was already a repair café, solidarity Christmas Eve or garden projects. We are surfing on this dynamic with the ambition of carrying out a more substantial project aimed at providing access to culture for all and creating social ties, with a focus on sustainable development,” continues the project coordinator. A local café, which may lead to an associative refreshment bar, is run by volunteers who offer activities, transmission of know-how and introduction to knitting. Circus courses will be offered to children and teenagers in the area from the spring holidays.
From the start of the school year in September, the association will operate this theater with an artistic program. In this regard, a license application to the DRAC (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs) is being drafted. Artists – actors, circus performers, dancers or visual artists – and writers can thus be welcomed in residence.
Without waiting for this license to be obtained, a first concert by the group Tchett’n’Beuzz (French songs, blues, folk) is scheduled for April 29. The beginning of a great adventure and a long series of shows.