Boly Mill (Moulin de Boly)
Boly Mill, a modest two-storey building
More commonly known as Maison Natale de Bernadette or the "house where Bernadette was born", the Boly Mill is a modest two-storey building located at 12 rue Bernadette Soubirous, 65100 Lourdes. It was the "Mill of Happiness" for the Soubirous family where they shared many happy moments of their lives for 10 years. Bernadette's parents, Francois Soubirous and Louise Casterot, were millers and they were well-known as the "Millers of Boly" in Lourdes. The Soubirous family was living in the Boly Mill when Bernadette was born on 7th January 1844. They lived there from 9th January 1843 until 24th June 1854 when they were evicted from the mill because they had no money to pay the rent of 250 francs a year. At that time, Bernadette was 10 years old.
Before the French Revolution, the mill belonged to Anne de Candebotte but when she married an English doctor, David Boly, the mill was named after him. The mill was actually Anne de Candebotte's dowry when she married the doctor on 19 June 1645. Over the years, the mill has changed hands several times. Augustin Casterot was the miller when he died in a cart accident on 1st July 1841. He left behind his widow, Claire, four young daughters and a little son. Claire needed a man to run the mill for her as she could not do it alone. Out of desperation, she has chosen Francois Soubirous, a 34-year-old bachelor who was working at a nearby mill, to become her son-in-law. She invited him to court her eldest daughter and heiress, Bernarde, but Francois fell in love with her second daughter, 16-year-old Louise, and was adamant to make her his wife. Although Claire Casterot initially tried to make Francois change his mind, she had no choice because he was so determined that she eventually relented.
The Soubirous Family Tree
Francois Soubirous and Louise Casterot were married at the parish church of Lourdes on 9 January 1843. They took up residence at Boly Mill because Claire Casterot has entrusted her son-in-law with the management of the mill. In 1848, Claire Casterot left Boly Mill with her other children to live with her eldest daughter, Bernarde, who was already married by then. Because of the strained relationship between Francois and his in-laws as well as overcrowding in the mill, this was probably the best solution for the Soubirous family. No doubt, Francois Soubirous was hardworking, honest, and kind but because of his immense generosity, the Soubirous family soon had to face serious financial problems. Further, their livelihood was adversely affected by the new steam-powered mills due to advances in technology during the Industrial Revolution. Business at the mill deteriorated, coupled with a series of adverse circumstances, finally reduced the Soubirous family to poverty and they were left without a choice but to leave the mill (Please read The Cachot to find out more about the poverty-stricken Soubirous family).
The ancient water-mill
Today, the Boly Mill is one of the pilgrims' favourite places. Admission is free. On the right of the ground floor is the ancient water-mill with its two grindstones. On the left is the room with a small collection of memorabilia which was once used for loading and unloading flour and cereals. On the first floor, visitors can see the bedroom where Bernadette was born. The other rooms in the building were occupied by Louise's mother and siblings. Since 1988, Boly Mill has become the property of "L'oeuvre de la Grotte" and looked after by the Daughters of the Church.
The bed in the room where Bernadette was born
The room where Bernadette was born
Here, in this kitchen which acted as a living room, the Soubirous family lived, welcomed others and prayed.
Boly Mill: The Interior
You may also like to read The Museum of Lourdes if you want to know more about the museums in Lourdes. To find out more about Lourdes, please click here to view the content page of this blog as there is a list of my articles about Lourdes on this page.
References:
1. Lourdes & Bernadette by Antonio Bernardo. Publisher "il Calamo"
2. Lourdes by Antonio Bernardo. Doucet Publications, Lourdes.
3. Lourdes History. Editions A. Doucet - Lourdes
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