Maulay: Heritage and Trails

Maulay offers two distinct ways to enjoy a stay: cultural history centred on the Château du Haut-Maulay and Église Saint-Martin, and trails and equestrian activities. The following sections can help you choose the focus of your trip, whether it’s architectural history, the landscape or activities.

Heritage in Maulay

The Château du Haut-Maulay is located in the Domaine du Haut Maulay in Maulay. It was listed as a historic monument by decree on 25 October 2018. The château is privately owned. If you would like to include it in your travel plans, check in advance whether visits are possible.

The Église Saint-Martin is a small Romanesque church from the 10th century, dedicated to Saint Martin. It is 21 metres long and 6 metres wide, and ends in a semicircular apse. The choir and bell tower date from the Romanesque period. The measurements give a tangible sense of the church’s size; the apse, choir and tower also identify distinct parts of the building. Alongside the château, Maulay therefore offers a point of interest in ecclesiastical history.

Landscape and trails

The entire landscape of Maulay is classified within the Région du tuffeau landscape unit. The Forêt de Scévolles is a ZNIEFF type II and covers 10.2 percent of the municipality. These details describe different scales: the first places the entire landscape within one unit, while the second specifies the proportion of the area covered by the forest. Together, they provide both a landscape classification and a concrete point of reference in the Forêt de Scévolles.

La Ligne Verte is a signposted route for environmental and local heritage education and information that passes through Maulay. The 37-kilometre route is designed for cyclists and can also be used on foot or on horseback. It follows a former railway line connecting Châtellerault and Loudun. The route thus combines a focus on the environment and heritage with a historic alignment. When choosing an activity, you can consider the options available: cycling, walking or riding on horseback.

Horse riding in Maulay

The Poney Club de la Buissonnière is a riding school in Maulay accredited by the Fédération Française d'Equitation and welcomes riders aged three and over. Its facilities include an 800-square-metre indoor riding arena with lighting, as well as several covered outdoor riding arenas with sand surfaces. The club also offers cross-country courses of varying difficulty and numerous trail rides in the Forêt de Scévolles. Alongside the activities available on La Ligne Verte, visitors can choose from specific equestrian offerings with different focuses: facilities, cross-country courses and trail rides. Check the current arrangements before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Chenevelles, Champagné-le-Sec, Amberre, Mirebeau, Chasseneuil-Du-Poitou, Moncontour, Loubressac, Usson-Du-Poitou.

For the broader travel overview: Vienne.