Then, completely by chance, this old mill on the Opal Coast appeared in an online ad. Jérémy first visited alone while Nicolas was away on holiday, and very quickly we both felt something special about the place.
What was your life like before this project began ?
Before Moulin Moulin, we were both living in Lille after many years spent in bigger cities. Nicolas worked as a designer, moving between agencies, brands and freelance projects, after nearly a decade in Paris. Jérémy worked as an optician for ten years before managing the development of a retail brand in Belgium.
Like many people, the Covid period became a turning point for us. The repeated lockdowns, a growing fatigue with our previous careers and the desire for a different rhythm of life slowly changed our perspective. One summer in 2020, Nicolas started looking at houses almost impulsively, as he often does. The search went in every possible direction — from Réunion Island to the Ardèche, the Périgord, the Belgian Ardennes or the Flemish countryside.
Then, completely by chance, this old mill on the Opal Coast appeared in an online ad. Jérémy first visited alone while Nicolas was away on holiday, and very quickly we both felt something special about the place. When we came back together for a second visit, everything suddenly felt obvious: changing our lives, leaving the city without being too far from family and friends, and creating something new in a region that already felt familiar to us.
When you first arrived here, what made you feel this old mill setting could become something special?
What surprised us most was the contrast. On one side, you have this peaceful countryside landscape opening onto the sea, and suddenly this huge former cement factory dominating the horizon. We loved that tension between nature and industry, between softness and rawness. It gives the village a very singular atmosphere.
The mill itself already had a strong soul. Locals had always referred to it simply as “the mill”, even decades after production stopped in the 1970s. We could immediately sense the different layers of history within the buildings. Despite the amount of work ahead, the place already had a real identity, and that was probably the most important thing for us.
One of the most striking impressions during our first visit was the relationship between the building and the water. Inside the old mill, the floor sits almost at the same level as the pond outside, creating the feeling that the water actually enters the building. There are natural springs everywhere around the property, and you constantly hear or sense the presence of water. It gave the place something incredibly calming but also quite cinematic and unusual.
What was the biggest challenge in bringing the project to life?
When we bought the property, the buildings were not in great technical condition. We had to completely redo the roofs, treat all the wooden structures, replace parts of the framework and rebuild sections of the drainage system.
The challenge was finding the right balance between preserving the authenticity of the house while adapting it into a place people could truly live in and enjoy today. We wanted to erase many of the additions from the 1990s and bring back the original spirit of the property without making it feel too polished or artificial.
We designed most of the interiors ourselves and worked closely with local craftsmen and companies for part of the renovation. Materials played a huge role in the project. We reused as much as possible: old floorboards became benches or structures, roof tiles reinforced the pond banks, and almost every object eventually found a second life somewhere else in the house or garden.
Over time, the project has become a constant evolution rather than a finished renovation. Every off-season brings new ideas, new spaces and new transformations.
This winter’s work was dedicated to the renovation of the former mill itself, whose surface area has now been fully integrated into the house. The space now hosts a large dining room and an honesty bar, centred around a wide panoramic window overlooking the pond and surrounding landscape. It completely changed the way the house is experienced throughout the day.
The rooms are named after your grandmothers. Why was it important for you to bring that personal and family touch into the house?
From the beginning, we never wanted Moulin Moulin to feel like a standard hotel. We live here all year round and guests are welcomed into our home, so creating a warm and personal atmosphere felt essential.
Naming the rooms after our grandmothers was a way of bringing family history into the house and creating an emotional connection to the place. Many pieces of furniture and objects throughout the property also come from our families, mixed with vintage finds and contemporary design pieces collected over the years.
We hope guests feel that the house is truly lived in — somewhere authentic, intimate and relaxed rather than overly formal. The idea is to offer people a break from everyday life, a place where time slows down and where they can simply enjoy doing nothing.
After the last renovations, food and shared spaces seem to be an important part of life at Moulin Moulin. How important was that side of the house for you?
Very important. We always imagined Moulin Moulin as a place built around hospitality rather than simply accommodation.
Shared spaces naturally became central to the experience because they encourage people to slow down, gather and interact differently. We wanted the house to feel alive throughout the day — not like a place where everyone disappears into their room.
Food also plays an important role in that atmosphere. Generous breakfasts, local produce and shared moments around the table help create a feeling of comfort and simplicity that reflects the spirit of the house. We like the idea that guests feel as though they are staying in a countryside home rather than in a traditional hotel.
What do you love most about life in this part of Northern France?
What we love most is probably the rhythm of life here. The weather, the light and the landscape constantly change with the seasons, making you much more aware of time passing.
The Opal Coast still feels preserved and relatively untouched compared to many seaside destinations in France. Visitors are often surprised by the diversity of the scenery: dunes, marshes, cliffs, forests and huge beaches all within short distances of each other.
We also love the slightly raw and understated beauty of the region. It never really tries too hard to impress people. There is something very honest and peaceful about it.
Autumn is probably our favourite season here. The beaches become almost empty, the light turns incredible and the atmosphere feels even calmer.
Looking back, what did you gain by taking that risk? Would you do it again?
Of course there were moments of doubt. Renovating a place like this while completely changing your professional and personal life can feel overwhelming at times. There are financial pressures, endless work and many unknowns.
We also had to learn how to work together all day long while living in the exact same place. The house is both our home and our workplace, so finding balance and preserving personal space became an important part of the experience. It changed the way we communicate, organise ourselves and spend time together.
But the project also gave us something we were probably missing before: a sense of purpose and a different relationship with time. Instead of rushing constantly, we now build things more slowly and more concretely.
What we gained most is probably the feeling of creating a life that truly reflects who we are. Despite the challenges, we would absolutely do it again.
Quickfire
A dish you could eat again and again ?
Pasta, in all its forms. We especially love simple, comforting recipes inspired by family cooking
A simple pleasure you never get tired of ?
A morning coffee by the water, taking in the calm of the house and the changing light over the pond.
What's always in your suitcase ?
Swimming goggles — always packed with the idea that we’ll go for long swims… which we never actually end up doing.
The next destination on your list ?
The French Caribbean. A good mix of beaches, hiking, and a beautiful place we’re keeping as a bit of a secret for now.
A song that always puts you in a good mood ?
Jérémy and I don’t really share the same musical taste, but we always end up in a good mood together with some 90s–2000s pop.
The most underrated place you’ve been ?
A small hidden cove just a few kilometres from home, which we always love sharing with our guests.
THE ADDRESS
Moulin Moulin
Dannes – Hauts de France – France
Reimagined former mill · Lakeside setting · Close to the Opal Coast
