Molinot: Château, Church Architecture, and Forest Landscapes

In Molinot, architectural history and landscape come together. The Petite Drée and Vernée streams converge here; their valleys dip slightly into the surrounding terrain, and the area is strongly agricultural in character. In the village, narrow, winding streets open up sightlines to the buildings and especially to the church, which comes into view from higher areas. If you want to take both historic architecture and its relationship to the landscape into account when choosing a destination, Molinot offers several points of interest.

The Château de Molinot and its architectural history

Only the foundations remain of the 14th-century feudal Château de Molinot. The upper part of the tower was converted into a dovecote in the 17th century. Thus, the château’s medieval origins and the tower’s later use represent different periods in its architectural history.

The protected status also distinguishes between the château and the tower: the Château de Molinot, including its grounds, buildings, and pond, was listed as a Monument historique by decree of 11 October 1990. The dovecote tower was designated a classified monument by decree of 14 June 1994. The two decrees therefore concern different parts and types of protection. The recently restored dovecote tower can be viewed from the outside.

Church, portal, and sightlines

The church of Molinot has a round-arched portal with a stepped reveal and partly engaged columns. The steps shape the portal frame on several levels; the columns are partly set into it. The church also features an oculus, or circular window, and paired round-arched windows. It thus brings together a range of architectural forms, from the articulated entrance to the round-arched windows.

The church is also part of the village’s sightlines: the narrow, winding street network offers views of it, especially from higher areas. Nearby is a 17th-century post relay with an elaborately designed portal and an associated stable. Two different historic building types thus stand in close proximity here: the church and the post relay with its ancillary structures.

Other historic traces in the village

Other landmarks include a restored former passenger and freight railway station. Its former function therefore covered both passenger and freight traffic. Other traces of local daily life include a historic bread oven and an old weighing scale with a brickworks. In Molinot’s cemetery, the portal of a former chapel that no longer exists has been preserved: a part of the building remains, while the chapel itself is gone.

The former mills can also be distinguished by their locations. West of Molinot, the former Moulin Du Dessous stands next to a former railway keeper’s house. On the opposite side of the village is the former Sansvigne mill. Together with the station, bread oven, and weighing scale, these traces span former transport and work as well as buildings associated with village life.

Streams, valleys, and forests

The confluence of the Petite Drée and Vernée, the slightly sunken valleys, and the agricultural character of the surrounding area shape the landscape around Molinot. Alongside this open setting, defined by its valleys, the forests around Molinot are ideal for an excursion into nature.

A particular trace of past land use lies southeast of the village: remains of former extraction activity can still be seen in the woods at Les Plâtrières. Molinot therefore brings together different landscape features: the streams and valleys by the village, the agricultural surroundings, and the forests, where traces of former extraction remain at Les Plâtrières.

Discover more destinations: Ruffey-Lès-Echirey, Manlay, Minot, Voudenay, Tillenay, Arnay-Le-Duc, Couchey, Meloisey

For the regional travel overview: Cote-Dor.