The Saint-Martin bell tower offers a tangible starting point for exploring Malay-Le-Grand’s architectural history: it was built between 1538 and 1540, while the present-day church was rebuilt in 1865. The communal washhouse on the Vanne and the picnic areas add further clearly located details to the townscape. If you are planning a stay, you can consider architectural history, the river setting and an outdoor break as distinct interests.
Saint-Martin Church and Bell Tower
The square bell tower of Saint-Martin Church was built between 1538 and 1540. Sturdy buttresses flank it and shape its exterior. Buttresses are projecting structural elements that support a wall; here, they help make the tower’s distinctive form easier to understand. The present-day Saint-Martin Church was rebuilt in 1865 in the 13th- and 14th-century Gothic Revival style. The two dates therefore refer to different aspects: 1538–1540 to the bell tower, and 1865 to the rebuilding of the present-day church. The Gothic Revival style describes the design and should not be confused with a construction date in the 13th or 14th century.
The old bell tower has two bells. The oldest dates from 1538 and is listed in the inventory of historic monuments. The year 1538 thus links the start of the tower’s construction with the age of the oldest bell; the rebuilding of the present-day church, by contrast, took place in 1865. This distinction makes the town’s history easy to picture: the tower, bells and present-day church building represent different, clearly identifiable aspects.
The communal washhouse on the Vanne
Another point of interest is the communal washhouse on Rue Pasteur, on the left bank of the Vanne. It was restored in 2019 and is easily accessible from Place du Lavoir. Unlike Saint-Martin, whose documented details relate to its architectural form, bells and church building, the washhouse highlights communal use. Its riverside location also connects it to the town’s river landscape. The town’s history is therefore enriched by both religious architecture and a communal washing place: two different ways to get to know Malay-Le-Grand. The 2019 restoration provides a more recent point of reference.
Picnic areas and their features
There are two specific location descriptions for an outdoor break. The picnic area by the weir is in the centre of Malay-le-Grand, right next to the weir and the fish ladder. A picnic area in the municipal park offers a view of the church tower as well as two shaded tables beneath large trees. These details help you make a practical choice: would you prefer a break near the weir and fish ladder, or are views of the church tower and shade beneath the trees more important? The first description refers to the area by the weir, the second to the area in the municipal park. You can choose where to take a break based on the features that matter most to you. Check the latest information about the picnic areas shortly before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Sauvigny-Le-Bois, Villeneuve-L'archevĂŞque, Nitry, VĂ©zelay, Thorigny-Sur-Oreuse, Taingy, Toucy, Villeblevin
For the broader travel overview: Yonne.
