SOUTHERN
TOURAINE
Wonders
of Southern Touraine...
Le Grand Pressigny
Le
Grand Pressigny, at the junction of the rivers Claise and Aigronne, is
surrounded by wooded hills. It is internationally known for Prehistory,
but also has much to interest lovers of nature, history and architecture.
The ancient winding streets of the village descend from the chateau to
the river.
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The
Chateau of Le Grand Pressigny
The
chateau contains the Departmental Museum of Prehistory.
The quality of its architecture and gardens make it an interesting
place to visit. The keep, built at the end of XIIth century
by Guillaume de Pressigny, helped by Philippe Auguste for
his support during the long struggle between the Plantagenets
and Capetians, was later enhanced by a strong defensive
enclosure with towers. The chateau was restored around 1560
by Honorat de Savoie, a loyal lord to the Kings of France.
The arcaded gallery built during the wars of religion around
the main courtyard shows the care devoted to this restoration.
There is a panoramic view from the top of the Tour Vironne.
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The
Departmental Museum of Prehistory
(in the chateau grounds)
The paleontology room illustrates the wealth of plants and
animals fossils found in the sediments deposited by the warm
seas which covered the Touraine tens of millions of years
ago. The Prehistory room shows the variety and quality of
prehistoric local industries. Prehistoric men lived in this
area for four hundred thousand years, attracted by the abundant
high-quality flint which could be fashioned into superb tools.
Their reputation spread to other countries ; in the later
Neolithic age large blades were exported, particularly to
the Alps. Models, an interactive display and videos complete
the exhibition and give much information on the life of prehistoric
man. |
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Temporary
closed until end of 2008 : restoration works.
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Discover
a historic and architectural itinerary of Le Grand Pressigny
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Descartes
The
René Descartes Museum
Once visitors enter the first two rooms, they become aware
of the cloistered atmosphere of the age of René Descartes,
its social background, major discoveries, religious issues
and contemporary European frontiers.
This historical briefing answer basic questions about the
background to René Descartes' life, and the influence
of the period on his work. The third room outlines chronologically
the events in René Descartes' life, illustrating
its key moments, and describes the travelling conditions
of his age.
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René
Descartes, a "French gentleman", travelled widely.
On the first floor the central principles of Cartesian method
are explained to visitors. Massive
books enable the visitor to dip into some Descartes' works.
This new, unique museum, set in
the house where René Descartes was born. |
From
15/03 to 15/11 : open from 2.00pm to 6.00pm (except
Tuesday).
From 02/01 to 14/03 and 16/11 to 31/12
: on request.
Adults : 4,50 € - Children : 1,30 €
- Free for children under 7.
29, rue Descartes - 37160 Descartes
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 79 19 or 00 33 2 47 92 42 20
E-mail : otm@ville-descartes.fr |
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La Roseraie
Just North of Boylesve Park, within the former moat, there
is a rose garden. Its fascinating, old-fashioned varieties
are a delight : rosa moschata, rosa gallicia and moss roses
grow alongside rosa generosa and hybrid tea-roses. This truly
relaxing garden is well worth a visit.
Town Hall
37160 Descartes
Tel : 00 33 2 47 91 42 00 / Fax : 00 33 2 47 59 72 20
www.ville-descartes.fr
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Discover
a historic and architectural itinerary of Descartes
Chaumussay
"Fontaine
Saint-Marc", former pilgrimage
site. Famous for its "champignon de tuf" which
remind one of the shape of a camel's head, due to its limestone
forms, renowned to be the most beautiful in the Touraine.
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Chateau
of Rouvray
A magnificently preserved fortress from
the XIIIth and XVth century, restored by the XVIIIth century
with the original castle entrance. |
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Guided
tours :
From 14/07 to 31/08 : from 2.00pm to
6.30pm and during “Les Journées du Patrimoine”
(in September). Off season by appointment.
Adults : 4 € - Children (- 12 years) : free - Groups
(10 people minimum) : 3 €
Access between Loches and La Roche Posay on the D750.
Château de Rouvray - 37290 Chambon
Tel : 00 33 2 47 94 53 61 |
Preuilly-sur-Claise
The
site of Preuilly-sur-Claise, on border of the ancient province
of Poitou and Berry, is laid on the rivers of the Claise
in southern Touraine. The influence of the benedictine Abbey,
Saint Pierre, foundered in 1001 and in 1009, is one of the
most prestigious and largest in Touraine. The building's
actual date 1130, period of its reconstruction, presents
restoration work undertaken the XIXth and XXth centuries.
Installed in the ancient prisons of the Chateau du Lion
dating from the XIVth
and XVth centuries, the museum of "Arts et Traditions
Populaires" (arts and popular traditions) presents
an important archeological collection (prehistory, periods
"Gallo-Romaine" and Middle Ages). The arts and
popular traditions are presented by ancient professions,
embroideries and tourangelle laces.
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Discover
a historic and architectural itinerary of Preuilly-sur-Claise
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Chateau
of La Guerche
The Chateau of La Guerche was rebuilt
at the end of the XVth century. Home of kings, marked by the
wars of religion, it is in the heart of an area blessed with
natural, historical and architectural riches. Its two levels
of vaulted cellars contain huge grain stores, the manorial
prison, and a guardroom. |
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From
24/06 to 17/09, everyday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm
to 7.00pm
Sundays from 1.00pm to 7.00pm - Out of season : groups by appointment.
Full price : 5 € - Reduced price : 3 €
- Groups : 3 €
37350 La Guerche
Tel : 00 33 2 47 91 02 39 / Fax : 00 33 1 46 51 47 73
E-mail : contact@chateaudelaguerche.com
www.chateaudelaguerche.com |
La
Celle-Guénand
Museum of tools and
traditional crafts
La
Celle-Guénand is a small picturesque village situated
in southern Touraine, known mainly for its XVth century
chateau and XIIth century Roman church with 3 naves, rather
than its museum dedicated to tools and past actions. The
museum houses over 6500 tools, instruments, machines and
ancient artefacts which represent over 130 traditional jobs.
Unique in the region because of the wealth, diversity and
interest of the collection, this museum wants to see its
ancestral traditions passed down from generation to generation.
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Guided
tours available.
Open from 01/03 to 14/06 and from 15/09
to 15/11, on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays,
from 2.00pm to 6.30pm
Open everyday from 15/06 to 14/09 from
2.00pm to 6.30pm except Tuesday.
Adults : 4 € - Children (7 to 14) : 2,50 €
- Groups (starting from 10) : 3 € / pers.
1, place de l'Eglise - 37350 La Celle-Guénand
Tel : 00 33 2 47 88 05 26 or 00 33 2 47 94 45 27.
E-mail : christophe.ridet@free.fr |
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Boussay
The chateau is surrounded by a moat and
was originally composed of four buildings. The square tower
on the west wing, dating from the XVth century, and the east
wing from the XVIIIth century can be viewed from the outside.
The chapel adjoining the church contains a fine Renaissance
monument with the tombs of the Menou family.
Only the outside can be visited.
All year, open from 9.00am to 6.00pm
Tel : 00 33 2 47 94 52 73 |
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Ferrière-Larçon
The
church was built in the XIIth and
XIIIth centuries to replace an older sanctuary. It has a
XIIth century Norman nave and transept and a very beautiful
XIIIth century choir.
Town Hall - 37350 Ferrière-Larçon
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 65 72 / Fax : 00 33 2 47 92 30 36
E-mail : mairie.ferriere-larcon@wanadoo.fr
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Yzeures-sur-Creuse
Situated at the border of Touraine, Berry
and Poitou. "Dolmen de la Pierre Levée".
Mado Robin, Museum Opera singer, considered to have
the vocal range in the world, born in Yzeures in 1928.
Open all year.
Musée Minerve : 80
sculpted limestone blocks dating from Gallo-Roman times.
37290 Yzeures-sur-Creuse
Town Hall - Tel : 00 33 2 47 94 55 01
E-mail : mairie.yzeuressurcreuse@club-internet.fr |
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Mini-museum
of Betz-le-Château
Objects
exhibited in Town Hall showcase Mechanical clock from the
Church's Bronze mechanism ; Ancient chest from the XVth
and XVIth centuries door from the chateau. Recycled stone
used in the chateau, balustrade fragments, Gallo-Roman funeral
articles.
Free visit Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9.00am
to 12.00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am to 12.00pm
and 1.30pm to 5.00pm
Town Hall - 37600 Betz-le-Château
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 65 06
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| Château
du Châtelier-Paulmy
Free visits of the outside. |
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