Athée-sur-Cher walks

Near Athée-sur-Cher, the banks of the Cher are dotted with beautiful houses of various periods and styles. These châteaux, manor houses and beautiful farms have mostly been converted into lodges, charming hotels or restaurants. We will leave the riverbank three times to discover three small valleys shaped by tiny tributaries of the Cher.

Walk along the banks of the Cher and in the countryside near Tours. Discover the village of Azay-sur-Cher, the Nitray needle dam and Beauvais Castle.

Starting from Reignac-sur-Indre or Azay-sur-Indre, this loop offers a beautiful variety of landscapes and lovely heritage surprises. Between the two villages, each dominated by a castle, you will walk through the green valley where the Indre flows, cross a forest where a majestic tree awaits you and stroll across the agricultural plateau.

In addition to three beautiful castles, two of which belonged to the Marquis de La Fayette, you will discover a ghost farm, a very old oak tree, a few mills, rocky outcrops, rivers, streams, a spring, a pond and a canal.

Discover two streams, the Échandon and the Becquet, near where they join the Indre. Along the route, you will see some beautiful houses, a Gallo-Roman bridge and a Bollée windmill.

The commune of Chenonceaux, famous for its world-renowned château, has many other treasures to offer. This easy hike invites you to discover them. Please note: hikers have informed us that the Chenonceaux bridge over the Cher river is undergoing repairs until 15 June 2019. The walk as described will therefore not be possible during the first quarter of 2019. Please check before setting off.

In the Lochois region, Chédigny, the "Village of Roses", is the only village to be classified as a "Remarkable Garden". I invite you to discover it from Azay-sur-Indre, a small historic village located at the confluence of the Indre and Indrois rivers. The route passes through varied landscapes: woods, meadows and fields, floodplains, marshy areas and riverbanks.

Discovery of the Cher valley near Chenonceaux. Magnificent view of the Château de Chenonceau from the left bank of the Cher.

This loop connects the two villages of Tauxigny and Saint-Bauld. Starting from Tauxigny, you will set off into the Échandon valley to reach the village of Saint-Bauld. Water is omnipresent here, so keep an eye on the Échandon and its tributaries, which you will cross via footbridges and small bridges. Several surprising places are hidden near these waterways...

From the charming village of Tauxigny-Saint-Bauld, head into the countryside with this circular route. Cross a few fields and you will soon find yourself deep in the woods, following small paths and winding trails. Breathe in the fresh air – the Tauxigny countryside is good for you!

From Tauxigny-Saint-Bauld, set off on a short excursion along the Échandon to discover a valley dotted with mills and dominated by nature. And for the more dreamy among you, you'll even have the chance to gaze at the stars...

Starting from Saint-Quentin-sur-Indrois, you can choose between two different loops. The first, towards Chédigny, will take you through the rolling countryside to discover the 1,000 rose bushes in this village, which has been awarded the Jardin Remarquable label. The other loop will allow you to discover the Indrois, its meanders, its mills and hidden monuments. But as the choice is difficult, you can also choose to do both loops since they are connected to form a single one!

Discover Monbazon under the gaze of the statue of the Virgin and Child perched on top of the 10th-century keep. The Indre Valley with its mills, castles, fortress and shops. Moderator's warning on 23/09/2020: Please note! Private property issue in (3). See reviews dated 14/09/2020

Starting from the village of Chambourg-sur-Indre, you will set off on a walk through the Indre valley. On sandy paths, you will follow the river through meadows and poplar groves, then criss-cross the woods that stretch between the Indre and Indrois valleys. Under the trees, with your feet on the sand and your eyes on the water... discover the Chambourg countryside!

From the quiet village of Dolus-le-Sec, dotted with charming heritage sites, you set off on a walk through fields on a vast agricultural plateau. Follow the paths and let the wind guide you to the wind turbine, the symbol of the commune.

The city of Tours has three trees and a garden classified as remarkable by the A.R.B.R.E.S. association (Arbres Remarquables: Bilan, Recherche, Études et Sauvegarde - Remarkable Trees: Assessment, Research, Studies and Preservation). Discover them on this walk, which will also introduce you to other beautiful trees in Tours and several small and large public gardens. The tram connects the starting and finishing points.

The skies above Le Louroux are home to many birds, and the lake has become a must-see spot for birdwatching. But as you explore the countryside, you will also encounter other birds, including birds of prey typical of agricultural areas and strange white birds...

After a quick tour of the village of Ferrière-sur-Beaulieu, with its old priory, you will set off on an excursion that takes place almost exclusively in the forest. And what a forest! The Loches National Forest, a former royal forest and favourite playground of the kings of France when they stayed in Loches. Sometimes on the wide avenues ofthe 19th century, sometimes on small paths, you will discover hidden sites in the middle of the woods, notably the Étang de Ferrière.

From the monastic city of Beaulieu-lès-Loches, discover little-known paths that offer unique views of the bell towers of Beaulieu and the royal city of Loches. You will walk along paths carved into the rock, across the plateau through fields, and make a detour into the forest of Loches to see the Étangs de Ferrière.