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THE INDROIS VALLEY
The
hidden charm of the Indrois Valley...
| Classified
as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", the medieval
village of Montrésor is clustered around the fortified
chateau and the Renaissance collegiate church (statues by Bastarnay). |
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Chateau
of Montrésor
The chateau dominates the village
from its rocky cliff. Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou,
ordered the construction of a fortress here in 1005 to
defend the approaches to Touraine. In 1493, it became
the property of Imbert de Bastarnay, who was a counsellor
to Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII and François
I. He built a Renaissance chateau within the feudal walls,
of which only the main wing overlooking the Indrois now
remains. Since 1849, the chateau has belonged to a Polish
family descended from Count Xavier Branicki, a friend
of Napoleon III.
He
restored and improved it, and endowed it with many treasures
: historic objects from the Kings of Poland, wood sculptures
by Pierre Vanneau, furniture and a fine collection of
paintings by old masters.
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Guided
visits of the interior, outside only without guide.
From 01/04 to 03/11 : 10.00am to
12.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm
From 04/11 to 01/04 : groups by appointment
July and August : from 10.00am to 6.00pm
Adults : 7 € - Groups price : 5,50 € - Children
: 4 € - Reduced price (student) : 6 € -
Park : 4 €
Access for disabled to outside and ground floor - Coach parking.
37460 Montrésor
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 60 04 / Fax : 00 33 2 47 92 75 88 |
Discover
a historic and architectural itinerary of Montrésor
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Chateau
of Montpoupon
Forests,
meadows and streams frame the beautiful site of this chateau,
owned by the Prie family from the XVth to the XVIIth centuries.
Aymar de Prie was chamberlain and master crossbowman to
Charles VIII. There is a medieval fortress, a modified XVth
century building and a Renaissance entry lodge.
New rooms opening in the castle, dining-room, king's chamber.
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Hunting
Museum
Hunting has always been practised in the Indrois
Valley, dominated by the Loches forest. A museum dedicated
to the traditions of hunting and the huntsman has twenty modules
: photographs, hunting dress, horns, buttons, saddlery, stabling,
the blacksmith's art and paintings of hunting scenes. |
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Self-guided
tours. Guided tours of the castle (on request).
April
to September : everyday from 10.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm
to 6.00pm
October, November,
December, February and March :
W.E. and bank holidays from 10.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
January : annual closing (groups on reservation).
Guided visit - Adults : 8,50 € - Reduced price
: 7 € - Children (7 to 15 years) : 6 €
Self guided tour - Adults : 7 € - Reduced price
: 5,50 € - Children (7 to 15 years) : 4,50 €
37460 Céré-la-Ronde
Tel : 00 33 2 47 94 21 15 / Fax : 00 33 2 47 94 30 84
E-mail : montpoupon@wanadoo.fr
www.montpoupon.com |
Genillé
Sainte-Eulalie's Church
XIIth and XVIth centuries church.
Stained glass windows, one with the "Fumée"
heraldy, first Lord of Genillé. XIth century bell.
Holy water basin in white marble from 1494.
Floodlight until midnight. Stained glass window Martyrdom
of Sainte Eulalie.
Open everyday, from 9.00am to 7.00pm, except Wednesday
morning.
Place Agnès Sorel - 37460 Genillé
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 50 21
E-mail
: genille.mairie@wanadoo.fr
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Villeloin-Coulangé
The Priory of Grandmont-Villiers
In
1157, Henri II Plantagenet founded the Priory of Grandmont-Villiers
on the edge of the Loches forest.
Visit to the church, the old kitchens and the outside.
Guided tours at 3.30 - 4.00 - 4.30 - 5.00 - 5.30pm
From Easter to 01/11 : everyday except last Sunday of
August.
From 01/11 to Easter : open Sunday, closed on 25/12.
37460 Villeloin-Coulangé
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 76 48
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Pietà
by Jehan Fouquet
Jehan Fouquet, whose patron was Agnès
Sorel, was one of the great masters of French painting in
the Middle Age. The Pietà, which depicts a descent
from the cross, was painted about 1450, and is on a large
wooden panel (2.6 metres x 1.68 metres).
Open all year from 8.00am to 8.00pm, except during services.
Rue Jehan Fouquet - 37460 Nouans-les-Fontaines
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 62 09
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Lake
of Chemillé-sur-Indrois
The
lake of Chemillé-sur-Indrois (37 hectares) offers
: water-sports, swimming (lifeguards in attendance), hire
of pedal boats, rowing boats and kayak canoes, sailing (no
boats for hire).
Sport and leisure activities : tennis, volleyball, children's
play area, boules pitch, wooded picnic area. Fishing permits
available by the day, week or year.
37460 Chemillé-sur-Indrois
Tel (Town hall) : 00 33 2 47 92 60 75
E-mail : mairie-chemille-sur-indrois@wanadoo.fr
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The
Corroirie of Liget
This
fortified manor house and monastery is ideally suituated
in the heart of Loches forest, quite near the Chatreuse
(Carthusian monastery) of Liget. The Prior and lay brothers
administered the 1500 hectares estate from the Corroirie,
so that the monks had peace for their devotions. The church,
built in pure Plantegenet style, anticipates the Gothic
period of architecture. The Corroirie keep,
moats and fortifications enabled the monks to withstand
ant attack. The printed guide will help visitors plan their
visit to the Corroirie as they wish, learning more about
Gregorian chant, medieval laws, the cultivation of hemp
and fish-farming.
Open from April 1st to November 12th, from 10.45am to
7.45pm
Annual pass : 3 € (free for students, children
and those without employment). Group : 2 €.
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The
Chartreuse of Liget
The Chartreuse (Carthusian Monastery)
of Liget was founded by Henri II Plantagenet in 1178 in
atonement for the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of
Canterbury. There are ruins of the church and the XIIth
century cloister, and an XVIIIth century sculpted entrance
gate.
Open everyday from 9.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 7.00pm
(5.30pm in Winter).
Visit to the outside of the buildings : 0,50 €.
Access by the D760 between Loches and Montrésor
37460 Chemillé-sur-Indrois
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 60 02
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Chapel
of Saint-Jean du Liget
Small
circular XIIth century chapel decorated with a cornice of
carved corbels. In the interior, a remarkable series of frescoes
illustrates the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
The keys can be obtained from the Chartreuse of Liget.
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