Maule and Aulnay-sur-Mauldre - are situated in the Yvelines region of France in the valley of the Mauldre river. Maule itself has a population of about 6,000 people and Aulnay about 1,100. The two villages are about two miles apart. Maule is a picturesque village and straddles the Mauldre. It is largely residential but does have a bustling shopping area centre around the Place de Charles de Gaulle off which can be found the Allée de Carnoustie a pleasant but short footpath linking two areas of the town and named in 1993 to commemorate the links between Carnoustie and Maule. In 1995, a Rowan tree gifted to the town by Panmure Estates was planted in a garden area off the Allée de Carnoustie as further evidence of the historic links.

Maule taken from the Church of St Nicholas

The Place de Charles de Gaulle (seen in the above picture) also has a small square at its heart and this is the site of an open air market each Saturday where local traders offer their wares and is a popular meeting place for locals (and visitors from Carnoustie when they are there). The square which was the site of Christmas Fairs has also seen many of the festivities during visits of the Scots and the scene of Scottish country dancing as well as traditional French dances. Just off the square visitors can find the Mairie de Maule which is the townhouse of Maule, the equivalent to our council chambers. This has also played its roll over the years being used for joint meetings between the Carnoustie committee and the 'C.J.M.V.M. (Comité de Jumelage de Maule et de la Vallée de la Mauldre) - the Maule committee. The Maule/Aulnay Twinning logo can be seen above.

Apart from being a picturesque little village Maule is also a thriving community with very active community spirit in many different areas and whether or not the people are personally involved in exchanges they never fail to give visitors from Scotland a very warm welcome.

Aulnay and the river Mauldre

Aulnay-sur-Mauldre, just a short drive down the road is largely residential and just as picturesque as Maule. On the occasion of their admission formally to the Twinning the residents there proved that they can also provide friendship and a warm welcome to visitors from Carnoustie.

In the valley of the Mauldre near to Maule, there are a number of other small villages whose people also take part in Twinning activities and have both travelled to Scotland and played host to Scots visitors.

The River Mauldre - which gives its name to the village - between Maule and Aulnay

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Maule/Aulnay as seen by Maulois