Moulay combines archaeological history with a specific climbing scene on the banks of the Mayenne. The oppidum, Église Saint-Martin and climbing site each offer a different focus. The Sentier des Gaulois is another route to consider, but it is temporarily inaccessible due to the closure of the towpath near Moulay. When planning your stay, it helps to consider these topics separately: history, climbing and route planning each raise different questions.

Oppidum and Building History

Excavations at the oppidum of Moulay took place from 2009 to 2011 and revealed several areas with different uses. These included residential and craft districts around a public esplanade. This gives an impression of a settlement with distinct areas, where living, craft activities and a public square each served different purposes. An oppidum is a fortified settlement from the Celtic period. The main rampart of the remains of the Gallic oppidum of Moulay has been listed as a historic monument since May 26, 1986. Together, the archaeological findings and the rampart offer two perspectives on the town’s history: the organization of the settlement and a specific architectural feature with historic monument status.

Church and Château

Two periods can be distinguished at Église Saint-Martin in Moulay: the nave probably dates from the early Middle Ages, while the south chapel dates from the 15th century. These dates allow for a comparison of two parts of the building from different periods; the early medieval dating of the nave is explicitly considered probable. This adds another historical perspective, visible in a church building, to the settlement history of the oppidum.

Château du Bas-Mont is privately owned and is currently used as a hotel and restaurant. If you plan to visit, check access in advance.

Climbing and Routes along the Mayenne

Moulay’s natural climbing site is on granite rock beside the towpath along the Mayenne. It has 49 routes ranging from 15 to 20 metres in height. The rock type, number of routes and height range give the climbing scene a specific profile. This offers a different kind of activity alongside the historic sites: rock and routes rather than settlement layout and building history.

The Sentier des Gaulois starts in Moulay. Its route includes the towpath, paths and small roads in the Mayenne department. The trail is temporarily inaccessible because the towpath near Moulay is closed. Before setting out, check again whether the Sentier is accessible.

Moulay offers different ways to choose your focus: the excavations and Église Saint-Martin invite you to explore settlement and building history, while the climbing site is defined by its granite rock, number of routes and height. The Sentier des Gaulois is also part of the local route network, but because it is temporarily closed, check its status again before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Loigné-Sur-Mayenne, Ballots, Saint-Georges-Buttavent, Lassay-les-Châteaux, Villaines-La-Juhel, Hercé, Levaré, La Baconnière.

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.