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Start at Place du Mail in Montsoreau.
(S/E) Head to the Quai de Loire and walk upstream towards the château. Return to the road via the ramp at the end of the quay. The château overlooks you just a few dozen metres away, like a cliff by the water’s edge.
Turn right onto Rue Jean de Chambes, which passes under the bridge leading to the château. This steep little street leads to Place des Diligences. Opposite the town hall, turn left in front of the long glass-fronted building bearing the Union sign, which houses one of the few boules de fort courts still in use. Walk up the square to the top, past the Hôtel Bussy, then down Rue Jehanne d’Arc until you reach Rue du Puits Saint-Michel. Here, the tuffeau stone gives every house the appearance of a castle.
(1) At the bottom of Rue Jehanne d’Arc, you cross into a different commune, and therefore a different department and region. Turn left onto the small street, which also serves as a drainage channel, and climb up to the riverside path via one of the two side staircases. Cross the road and head down to the quay via the staircase opposite.
If the water level allows, follow the riverbank along the grassy path that runs alongside the shore. This leads to what used to be the port of Candes-Saint-Martin. On the opposite bank lies the sandy headland formed by the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire.
Turning your back on the river, walk up Rue Saint-Martin, which leads to the majestic porch of the collegiate church.
(2) This monumental church was built on the spot where Saint Martin breathed his last and is well worth a visit.
Then walk round the building to the right, and continue up towards the hillside along Rue Saint-Maurice. You will pass between several buildings, notable at least for the porches providing access to them. Cross the street and take the steps leading up to Rue de la Cour Dimière, turning right once you reach the top.
Continue left to reach the square in front of the cemetery, and turn right onto Rue du Puits Saint-Michel. This road runs above the village of Candes-Saint-Martin, but from up there, the Loire is no longer visible. The view looks out over the vineyard-covered hillsides. As you descend, you’ll reach a small valley marking the boundary of the commune, and after a steep descent, you’ll come to a small street.
(3) Cross it and take the small path that veers left, between the ascending street and a property entrance. This path crosses the valley beneath a hedge of hazel bushes, amidst a few gardens.
At the first path you come to, turn right and follow this track for about a hundred metres. Just before a house with a curious façade adorned with large pointed arches, turn left onto the cobbled path that climbs up amongst the flowers. After a bend, it opens out onto Rue de la Bonnardière. Turn right and continue along Chemin du Coteau. This street overlooks the houses of the village of Montsoreau and offers superb views of the château and the Loire. On the cliff side, the cave dwellings line the street.
(4) At the three-way junction, continue left along Ruelle Bussy d'Amboise until you reach Ruelle de la Motte. Head down this street to the right until you reach Rue André Obey, which you follow to the left. At the junction with Route de Fontevrault, turn right. Place du Mail is just a few metres away (S/E).
tar(star)star:
Tourist office
Moderate 
Visorando Member
Difficult 
