The Mystery of Moulin du Roy: Where Did Canson's Beloved Watercolour Paper Go (And Where Is It Now)?

If you're a watercolour artist who loves the beautiful texture and performance of Canson Moulin du Roy paper, you might have felt a pang of frustration recently. You've likely searched the official Canson website, expecting to find detailed product information, only to come up empty-handed. 
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You're not alone in your confusion, and it's a completely valid frustration. So, what exactly is the story behind Canson Moulin du Roy, and why is it so elusive on the official brand site?

A nostalgic glimpse at the original design of Moulin du Roy paper pads and sheets, featuring those beautiful deckled edges.

Moulin du Roy has a storied history, long celebrated for its 100% cotton composition and cylinder mould-made quality, offering a feel akin to handmade paper. It became a firm favourite among artists for its excellent absorbency, strength, and ability to allow for lifting and reworking.

However, the paper faced a period of uncertainty. While Canson initially produced it, at one point it was discontinued and replaced by other Canson lines. To the relief of many artists, production was thankfully resumed a few years ago.
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Crucially, the manufacturing of Moulin du Roy was transferred to the renowned English paper mill, St. Cuthberts Mill. Yes, the same mill that produces other beloved papers like Saunders Waterford and Bockingford! Despite this change in production, the paper is still sold under the Canson Moulin du Roy brand name.

Click to visit the website of St Cuthberts Mill

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Why Isn't It on Canson's Website (Or St. Cuthberts Mill's)?

​This is where the confusion truly sets in, and it's a very common question for artists:

• Canson's Strategy: As a large paper conglomerate, Canson has an immense range of products. They likely choose to highlight products they produce entirely in-house or newer lines they are actively promoting on their main website. Moulin du Roy, while a classic, might be considered a heritage product with its distribution handled primarily by retailers. Their website might simply not be structured to showcase every single paper they offer, especially those with external manufacturing arrangements.
• Manufacturing vs. Branding: St. Cuthberts Mill produces the paper for Canson under a licensing agreement. Their own website focuses on their proprietary brands (Saunders Waterford, Bockingford, etc.). They aren't typically going to promote another company's brand, even if they are the ones making it.
• Reliance on Retailers: Both Canson and St. Cuthberts Mill likely rely heavily on specialist art supply retailers to carry and describe Moulin du Roy. These retailers often include the key details, such as "now produced at St. Cuthberts Mill," in their product listings.

This creates a frustrating information gap for artists seeking details directly from the source. You're left navigating various retailer sites, hoping to piece together the full picture.

The Information You're Looking For (And Where to Find It)

​Despite its elusive nature on official brand sites, you can still find comprehensive details about Canson Moulin du Roy:

• Manufacturing Method: It's 100% cotton and mould-made on a traditional cylinder machine, giving it a texture similar to handmade paper.
• Sizing: Moulin du Roy is internally and surface-sized with synthetic (AKD) or plant-based sizing. This means it's vegan-friendly and does not contain animal derivatives like gelatin, which is common in many other watercolour papers. This also contributes to its excellent lifting properties.
• Surfaces and Weight: It's available in Hot Pressed (smooth) and NOT (cold pressed/medium texture) surfaces, typically in 300gsm (140lb) weight.
• Availability: You'll primarily find it at reputable online and brick-and-mortar art supply stores. These are the best resources for current stock.
• Reputation for Quality: It garnered a reputation as a high-quality, 100% cotton, mould-made paper with excellent working properties, including good absorbency and the ability to handle lifting and reworking. Its smooth (Hot Pressed) surface was particularly favoured by botanical and detailed artists.
• Artist Disappointment at Discontinuation: The strong reaction and disappointment from artists when Canson initially discontinued it (before St. Cuthberts Mill resumed production) is a clear indicator of its popularity and the loyalty it commanded. Artists actively lamented its absence and called for its return.

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The Case of the Missing Deckled Edges: Why Moulin du Roy Looks Different

A detailed view of the original Moulin du Roy watercolour paper, highlighting its classic deckled edge and the unique watermark: "Moulin Du Roy Canson France.

​Deckled edges, the beautifully feathery, untrimmed edges characteristic of traditionally made, mould-made papers, were a feature of the original Canson-made Moulin du Roy. However, the current paper produced by St. Cuthberts Mill no longer has them; instead, sheets now have four straight, machine-cut sides. This shift doesn't signify a decline in quality – many high-quality, mould-made papers are sold with trimmed edges. For Moulin du Roy specifically, this change was likely part of Canson's specifications to St. Cuthberts Mill when production resumed. This decision would align with strategic goals: enhancing manufacturing efficiency by optimising yield from paper rolls and streamlining cutting for standard sizes.

Is Canson Moulin du Roy Watercolour Paper Available Internationally?

A common question artists have about Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper, especially given its unique manufacturing story, is its international availability. Acquiring Moulin du Roy outside the UK may involve looking at UK-based retailers who offer international shipping. While its roots are in France (via Canson) and its current manufacturing in the UK (at St. Cuthberts Mill), this high-quality paper is distributed through some art supply networks across the globe, but it's not currently extensively available.
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The UK remains the most reliable hub for purchasing Canson Moulin du Roy, thanks to its proximity to the St. Cuthberts Mill production. You'll have the most success finding it at these well-known, dedicated art supply stores:
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• Jackson's Art Supplies 
• Bromleys Art Supplies 

If you're outside the UK, looking to acquire Canson Moulin du Roy paper, you'll find reliable worldwide shipping options available from both Jackson's Art Supplies and Bromleys Art Supplies.

Screenshot from www.jacksonsart.com - dated 07.06.2025 - Click to visit the product page.

Screenshot from www.jacksonsart.com - Date: 7th of June 2025 - Click the image to visit the product page.

Screenshot from www.artsupplies.co.uk - 7th June 2025 - Click the image to visit the product page.

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​For artists avoiding animal derivatives, Canson Moulin du Roy is internally and surface-sized using synthetic (AKD) or plant-based agents, making it entirely vegan-friendly with no animal derivatives. This also contributes to its reliable lifting properties.

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Share Your Experience!

We hope this deep dive has helped clarify the mystery surrounding Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper. Its unique journey from factory to studio is fascinating!
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Now, we'd love to hear from you:
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• Have you had a chance to work with Canson Moulin du Roy paper?
• If you've tried both the original Canson-made version and the current St. Cuthberts Mill production, what differences (if any!) have you noticed in its handling, texture, or performance?
• Do you have a preference between the old and new, or any tips for working with this paper?
• Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – your insights are incredibly valuable to fellow artists!