Until the 19C the region had some 200 mills. Since 1976, three have been reintroduced to Villeneuve-d'Ascq: the Moulin des Olieux (1743), which produced linseed oil (for industrial usage), a flour mill (1776) and a water mill. At the nearby museum you will understand the mechanism of the gristmill and see the tools (18C and 19C) of the carpenter, miller and woodcutter, as well as a collection of millstones.