Historically, they are former industrial flour mills built in Paris during World War I.

With the activity relocating in Gennevilliers and in Verneuil-l'Étang (two cities just outside of Paris), the Parisian flourmills closed in 1996.

A major part of the subsidiary buildings, among which the silos and warehouses, were then pulled down except for the main structure, which was shaped in the form of a quadrangle and in neo-classical style, as well as the largest storage hall: both of these have remained.

The main building was renovated by architect Rudy Ricciotti between 2004 and 2006, as was the old “Grain Hall” ("Halle aux farines"), located close by, to be used as the campus for Paris VII – Denis Diderot University.

This building houses the administrative services of Paris Cité University, as well as the EALC Department (Eastern Asian Languages and Civilization) and the LHS Department (Arts and Science), along with the Grands Moulins Library.