The ruins of Château de Chandioux, a fresco on the Circuit des Fresques, the Bocage de Moulins-Engilbert, and local produce give Maux several clearly distinct themes. When planning your trip, the highlights range from local history and heritage to landscapes and food.
Château de Chandioux and local history
The ruins of Château de Chandioux date mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries. The château was the seat of a powerful barony for a long time and was partially dismantled around 1786. The ruins have been listed as a Monument historique since January 9, 1970. This provides a timeline for the building’s history: the medieval centuries were followed by partial dismantling in the late 18th century and its permanent listing as a Monument historique. The history of the barony adds context about the château’s former role. Those interested in heritage will find specific historical dates here, rather than merely a reference to ruins.
Chapel and fortified house in Abon
Another link to local history can be found in Abon, in Maux: the chapel of the Priory of Saint-Donat is still standing there. Next to it is an imposing fortified house in private ownership, which is not open to visitors. Check its access status locally before setting out.
The Circuit des Fresques
A fresco on the Circuit des Fresques is located in Maux. The route was created along the roads and later extended to surrounding villages. This distinguishes the individual artwork in Maux from the project’s wider geographical reach. The route’s development also shows how the fresco theme grew beyond its original course along the roads. Check the current availability and signposting of the Circuit des Fresques before planning your visit.
Bocage and bat habitats
Maux lies within the ZNIEFF Type 1 area known as Bocage de Moulins-Engilbert. The area consists of bocage meadows, scattered wooded areas, and valleys with wet meadows. These varied landscape features give the area its diverse character: open meadows sit alongside wooded areas and damp valley floors. A maternity roost of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis), a species of European interest, has been recorded in the area. Hedgerows, riverside trees, and wooded edges provide highly suitable hunting habitats for bats. As well as the visible landscape, these animal habitats are a key part of discovering Maux from a nature perspective.
Farm-gate sales and farmers’ market
Les Saveurs fermières de Sophie is a producer in Maux. Its poultry and laying hens are free-range. Eggs and poultry are sold at the farm on weekends and at markets during the week. Before visiting, check whether farm-gate sales are taking place or which market day might work for your plans.
The Marché de l’Huis Périgou in Maux is a farmers’ market held on a farm. Vegetable plants and organic vegetables are sold there. Dates may change with the seasons, so check the current date before visiting. The two offerings differ in focus: Les Saveurs fermières de Sophie specializes in eggs and poultry, while the Marché de l’Huis Périgou offers vegetable plants and organic vegetables.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Eloi, Champvert, Magny-Lormes, Menestreau, Chitry-Les-Mines, Alligny-Cosne, Vignol, Toury-sur-Jour.
For the broader travel guide: Nièvre.
