The Bollée windmill in Arthonnay supplied water to the washhouse until 1939—a story of technology connected with the town hall washhouse. Also worth discovering are the Renaissance remains of Saint-Valentin Church, memorial plaques to the fighting in June 1940, and the Les Hespérides landscape garden. If you are looking for a destination for cultural and historical discoveries, Arthonnay offers several points of interest to explore.
Windmill and Town Hall Washhouse
The Bollée windmill stands in the town center near the town hall. It was installed in November 1897 and supplied water to the washhouse until 1939. The complex comprising the town hall with washhouse (mairie-lavoir) and the windmill was listed as a historic monument by decree on March 5, 2003. The windmill's function and monument status offer two different ways to understand the site: its water supply describes its former purpose, while the listing protects the complex.
The mill is one of the last three surviving Auguste Bollée windmills with a guyed mast in the Yonne département. This distinction brings together the name of the designer, the construction type, and the regional comparison. The term “guyed mast” identifies a specific construction feature and describes the structure more precisely than the general term “windmill.” Two questions can therefore be considered separately when learning about the mill: how was it built, and what was it used for? The mast describes its construction; supplying the washhouse describes its former function.
Church Ruins and Memorial Plaques
Saint-Valentin offers a different perspective. The church is now a ruin; following several fires, parts of it collapsed at various points beginning in the early 20th century. Its remains are designed in the Renaissance style. Here, a specific architectural style meets a history marked by fires and collapses. As part of the 2024 heritage program, the church could only be viewed from the road because of the existing danger. If you are planning a visit, check current information about access.
In Arthonnay's parish chapel, at the crossroads of Grande Rue and Rue du Centre, there are memorial plaques to the fighting of June 16 and 17, 1940. The name “LAURENT Iassens” appears on the plaques. This apparently refers to the Belgian soldier Laurent Félix Joseph JANSSENS, who died in Arthonnay on June 17, 1940. The name as it appears on the plaque and the identification, which is only apparently correct, should be distinguished; the attribution remains uncertain.
Another Perspective: Les Hespérides
The Les Hespérides landscape garden is managed without pesticides. This adds a topic related to garden care to Arthonnay's architectural and commemorative history. If you are interested in garden management as well as historic sites, Les Hespérides offers a distinct focus to consider for your trip.
The windmill is primarily associated with technological history and the former water supply, Saint-Valentin with Renaissance architecture, and the memorial plaques with the remembrance of 1940. This comparison can help you assess whether Arthonnay suits your interests. If these topics fit your stay, you can then search for hotels in Arthonnay for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Turny, Chamoux, Quarré-Les-Tombes, Accolay, Préhy, Épineuil, Sougères-En-Puisaye, Sacy
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
