La Mailleraye-sur-Seine lies on the banks of the Seine in the heart of the Brotonne Loop. La Mailleraye-sur-Seine combines riverside landscapes, forest and historic buildings. Those who choose La Mailleraye-sur-Seine as a travel destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.
Nature and Landscape
The Brotonne Loop has been protected as a natural monument and protected landscape by ministerial decree since 24 November 1972. The southern two thirds of La Mailleraye-sur-Seine are occupied by the Brotonne State Forest, which covers more than 3,000 hectares within the municipality. The area lies on an old meander abandoned by the Seine.
In the Seine Valley, the Brotonne State Forest forms a 7,500-hectare forest complex together with adjoining municipal and private forests. The dovecote of La Mailleraye stands in a wet meadow near the Forest of Brotonne, which is rich in notable fauna and flora; the birds that breed there include the barn owl.
The Chêne Cuve is described in the Forest of Brotonne as a remarkable tree with four trunks. Another natural landmark is Le Hêtre du Grand Maître, which is listed as a remarkable tree in the forest area of La Mailleraye-sur-Seine.
Culture and History
The Church of Notre-Dame and Saint-Mathurin was built from limestone in the 16th century. It is listed as a historic monument; its nave is in the Flamboyant Gothic style and its choir is designed in the Renaissance style.
The seigneurial chapel bears the year 1569 and was consecrated on 24 August 1585. It preserves numerous funerary inscriptions of the lords of La Mailleraye from the d'Harcourt and de Nagu families, as well as stained-glass windows originating from Jumièges and Saint-Wandrille.
La Mailleraye-sur-Seine was once known for its river crossing and its activity connected with shipbuilding.
Sightseeing by the River
From 5 July to 30 August 2026, free guided tours with commentary are available at the Church of Notre-Dame and Saint-Mathurin on Sundays at 3 p.m.; visits during the week are possible on request.
The Le Parc campsite is located in the former château grounds on the banks of the Seine and has a footpath to the riverbank.
Paths through Forest and Riverside Landscapes
The cycle route through the Forest of Brotonne passes through La Mailleraye-sur-Seine and then continues along Quai Hilaire Tertre, Rue de Seine and Chemin de La Vieux.
The GR 23 follows the path to the Chêne Cuve; the tree bears the French designation “Arbre remarquable de France”. A 150-metre footpath leads from the car park to the Chêne Cuve.
The “En bord de Seine” horse-riding route is a 38-kilometre circular route starting from La Mailleraye-sur-Seine between the river and the Forest of Brotonne; it follows towpaths and passes through wooded areas of the Forest of Brotonne.
