Mailleraye Sur Seine: Seine, Forest and Architectural Heritage

Mailleraye Sur Seine lies on the banks of the Seine in the heart of the Brotonne meander. The river and forest give the area two distinct landscape features; historic buildings and cycling and riding routes complete the picture. If you are looking for hotels in Mailleraye Sur Seine, you could first consider whether your stay will focus more on the riverside landscape, the forest or the historic buildings.

The Seine, Forest and Protected Landscape

The Brotonne meander has been protected as a natural site and landscape since 24 November 1972 by ministerial decree. The Brotonne State Forest occupies the southern two-thirds of La Mailleraye-sur-Seine and covers more than 3,000 hectares within the area. The area lies on an old meander abandoned by the Seine. In the Seine Valley, the state forest and the adjoining municipal and private woodlands form a 7,500-hectare forest complex.

The dovecote of La Mailleraye stands in a damp meadow near the Brotonne Forest. The meadow is rich in notable fauna and flora; birds that nest there include the barn owl. In the Brotonne Forest, the Chêne Cuve is described as a notable tree with four trunks.

Church, Chapel and Local History

The Church of Notre-Dame and Saint-Mathurin was built from limestone in the 16th century and is listed as a historic monument. Its nave is in the Flamboyant Gothic style, while its choir is in the Renaissance style. The two stylistic classifications therefore apply to different parts of the same church building.

The seigneurial chapel bears the date 1569 and was consecrated on 24 August 1585. It preserves numerous tomb inscriptions of the lords of La Mailleraye from the d'Harcourt and de Nagu families. There are also stained-glass windows from Jumièges and Saint-Wandrille. The area's history is also linked to the river: La Mailleraye-sur-Seine was once known for its river crossing and its shipbuilding-related activity.

Cycling, Walking and Riding Routes

The cycle route through the Brotonne Forest passes through La Mailleraye-sur-Seine. After passing through the town center, it follows Quai Hilaire Tertre, Rue de Seine and Chemin de La Vieux. These three sections give a precise picture of the route through the area.

The GR 23 follows the path to the Chêne Cuve; the tree has been awarded the French designation “Arbre remarquable de France” (Remarkable Tree of France). A 150-metre footpath leads from the car park to the Chêne Cuve. The “En bord de Seine” riding route is on a different scale: it is a 38-kilometre circular route starting in La Mailleraye-sur-Seine, between the Seine and the Brotonne Forest. The route follows towpaths and passes through wooded areas of the forest. This makes it easy to distinguish between a short walk to the tree and an extended circular riding route.

Discover more destinations: Criquetot-L'esneval, Belmesnil, Quiévrecourt, Bracquetuit, La Remuée, Le Bourg-Dun, Saint-Crespin, Saint-Martin-l'Hortier.

For the regional travel overview: Seine-Maritime.