A day in Touraine, south side ( pdf , 1 Mo )

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TO EXPLORE
TOURAINE
Crédits photos: D. Darrault - S. Frémont - Image de Marc - JB Leroux
A day in Southern Touraine
Morning in Loches
The gateway to southern Touraine, Loches is the perfect
representation of the architectural transition that gradually took
place during the Renaissance. Vestiges of the city’s rich medieval
past include fortifications, the impressive 44 metre-high keep and
the Saint-Ours collegiate church. The Logis Royal in Loches dates
to the Renaissance with its more elaborate silhouette. The town
below is charming with its City Hall, the Chancellery and
numerous traditional shops. On Wednesdays, the historic centre welcomes one of the loveliest
markets in Touraine, where the best local produce is prominently displayed.
Office de Tourisme de Loches - Place de la Marne - 37600 Loches
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 91 82 82 - www.loches-tourainecotesud.com
Feel free to enquire at the tourist office about the schedule of guided tours.
Château de Montpoupon
Musée du Veneur
Montrésor
LOCHES
LES PLUS
BEAUX DETOURS
DE FRANCE
Musée René Descartes
Musée de la préhistoire
du Grand-Pressigny
Suggestion: Lunch in Loches
Option 2
Option 1
Montrésor Village
Member of the «Most beautiful villages of France»
Montrésor, a fitting name for this charming town, a treasure listed among the
«Most beautiful villages of France». Nestled against the hillside in the shadow
of its castle, the smallest town in Touraine is a great place for a lovely stroll
along the Indrois river, a peaceful
tributary of the Indre, with display
signs and breathtaking views of the
fortress. Don’t miss the hydraulic
ram that pumps water up to the
castle.
INFORMATION
Office de Tourisme de Montrésor –
Val d’Indrois
43 Grande Rue – Montrésor
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 92 70 71
www.tourisme-valdindrois-montresor.com
Option 1
Montpoupon Castle
The Montpoupon castle underwent a lot of restoration work to recover its
current Renaissance style. The same family has lived here since 1857, the
former medieval fortress has now opened its authentic rooms to the public:
the king’s chamber, the old kitchens (with over 150 copper utensils!)...The 25
rooms of the Hunting Museum
house a unique hound hunting
collection: uniforms, saddles,
Hermès headscarves, stables...
Prehistory Museum
An exceptional prehistoric craft industry was prevalent in Southern Touraine
for 4 centuries. The long flint blades that were produced in large quantities
attest to the «pressignien phenomenon» that is on highlight at the new
museum in Le Grand Pressigny, built up against the vestiges of the medieval
fortress. The cellars are dedicated to
palaeontology, the Gallery presents
the cultures which succeeded each
other in Touraine for 100,000 years,
and the new building houses an
illustrated history of the chateau.
INFORMATION
Musée de la Préhistoire
du Grand Pressigny
Le Grand Pressigny
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 92 70 71
www.prehistoiregrandpressigny.fr
Option 2
René Descartes Museum
The village of Haye-Descartes is home to some remarkable medieval houses
and was renamed Descartes in 1967, after the famous philosopher who was
born there in 1596. His birthplace has been turned into a pleasant museum
with rich illustrations of the life and works of the father of modern philosophy.
The museum also provides a
historical and cultural overview of
the 17th century.
INFORMATION
Château de Montpoupon
Céré-la-Ronde
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 94 21 15
www.montpoupon.com
Shopping list:
Delicatessen products from the Bournaichères farm in Betz-le-Château, cheese and dairy products
from Verneuil-sur-Indre dairy co-op, items from the Loches market stalls.
INFORMATION
Musée René Descartes
29 rue René Descartes, à Descartes
Phone: 00 33 (0)2 47 59 79 19