Discover Arthonnay

Arthonnay brings together several distinct cultural themes that can add different dimensions to your stay. The Bollée windmill stands near the town hall in the village center, and is associated with the washhouse. Other sights include the ruins of the church of Saint-Valentin, memorial plaques in the parish chapel, and the Les Hespérides landscape garden. These themes differ considerably: the windmill focuses on technical use and a clear timeline; the church and chapel, on architecture and remembrance; and Les Hespérides, on garden management. You can plan your stay around whichever aspect of Arthonnay interests you most.

Windmill and washhouse: the history of technology

The Bollée windmill was installed in November 1897 and supplied water to the washhouse until 1939. These dates mark different milestones: its installation in 1897 and the end of the washhouse’s water supply in 1939. This makes it possible to understand the windmill both as a structure and through its former function; its connection with the washhouse is part of its history of use.

The windmill is one of the last three surviving Auguste Bollée windmills with a guyed mast in the Yonne department. The town hall, washhouse, and windmill ensemble was listed as a historic monument by decree dated March 5, 2003. The comparison refers to the Yonne department; the 2003 decree, by contrast, dates the listing of the ensemble.

Church ruins and remembrance

The church of Saint-Valentin is now a ruin. After several fires, parts of it began to collapse at the start of the 20th century. Its remains are in the Renaissance style: this description refers to the surviving parts, while the fires and collapses account for its ruined state. 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, please check the latest access information in advance.

Another aspect of the village’s history can be discovered in the parish chapel at the intersection of Grande Rue and Rue du Centre. Memorial plaques there commemorate 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 in the Yonne department on June 17, 1940. The dates serve different purposes: June 16 and 17 refer to the fighting, while June 17 is the date of death of the soldier apparently referred to.

Les Hespérides landscape garden

The Les Hespérides landscape garden is managed without pesticides. This gives garden care its own focus alongside the historic buildings and commemorative sites. If you are considering Arthonnay as a destination, you can also take this different perspective on the village into account, alongside the windmill and churches.

Discover more destinations: Maillot, Courlon-sur-Yonne, Villefargeau, Dicy, Merry-Sec, Moulins-sur-Ouanne, Junay, Irancy

For the main travel overview: Yonne.