Discover Moulay: Oppidum, church and climbing cliffs

If you’re looking for a hotel in Moulay, it’s worth deciding in advance what you’d like to focus on during your stay: Moulay offers different interests for visitors, including archaeological history, the architectural history of the Église Saint-Martin and a natural climbing site on the banks of the Mayenne. Cultural history and climbing are the main highlights.

Oppidum and Église Saint-Martin

Excavations at the Moulay oppidum, carried out from 2009 to 2011, revealed several areas with different uses around a public esplanade. These included residential and craft districts. The districts indicate different uses, while the esplanade adds a public area to the picture. This focuses attention on the spatial organization of the oppidum rather than on a single type of building.

The main rampart of the remains of the Gallic oppidum has been listed as a historic monument since May 26, 1986. The listing specifically concerns the main rampart, distinguishing it from the wider settlement. The dates mark separate events: excavations took place from 2009 to 2011, and the main rampart of the Moulay oppidum has been listed as a historic monument since May 26, 1986.

The Église Saint-Martin adds an architectural perspective. Its nave probably dates from the early Middle Ages, while the south chapel dates from the 15th century. This makes it possible to compare two different periods represented in parts of the same church. The early dating of the nave is explicitly uncertain, while the south chapel is assigned to a specific century. For those interested in culture, this offers a more precise look at the building’s history than a single, broad dating would.

The oppidum and the church offer two different historical perspectives: at the oppidum, the focus is on the arrangement of areas with different uses; at the Église Saint-Martin, it is on the dating of individual parts of the building. This distinction can help you choose a cultural focus that suits your stay.

Climbing and the Sentier des Gaulois

Moulay’s natural climbing site is on the towpath along the banks of the Mayenne. The granite cliff has 49 routes, ranging in height from 15 to 20 meters.

The Sentier des Gaulois starts in Moulay, but is temporarily inaccessible because the towpath near Moulay is closed. Check its status again before your trip, before planning to hike it. The trail includes the towpath, paths and small roads in the Mayenne.

Stay at Château du Bas-Mont

Château du Bas-Mont is privately owned and currently operates as a hotel and restaurant. If you’re planning to visit the château, check access in advance. If you’re considering staying there, check availability for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Pré-En-Pail, Fougerolles-Du-Plessis, Saint-Germain-De-Coulamer, Saint-Georges-sur-Erve, Châtillon-Sur-Colmont, Lesbois, Ménil, Montourtier

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.