Francueil walks

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

Ah, Chenonceaux! Without a doubt my favourite château. Exploring the surrounding area is a real pleasure, with vineyards, peaceful villages and the banks of the Cher. Very peaceful, even if there are a few hills, but it's for a good cause: views that are well worth seeing and seeing again. Hybrid or mountain bikes are recommended. Lunch breaks are available in Chenonceaux, Bléré or Saint-Georges-du-Cher.

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.

A varied route typical of the Cher and Loire regions, passing through farmland, vineyards and forests.

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!

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.

Discover the Ambroise river, the Amasse, a small tributary of the Loire which flows into the river here and which was developed from 1856 onwards to prevent flooding in the town during heavy rains.

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.

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.

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.

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 Courçay to Reignac along the banks of the Indre and crossing the Guignardière stream. Discover the mills and fountains as you walk up the Indre to Reignac.

In the heart of a vast wooded area in the countryside of Chambourg-sur-Indre, you can set off on a 100% nature walk, mainly in the shade of the trees. A few steps across fields and through the hamlets of Chambourg will take you into the woods, where you may have the chance to spot a deer or other forest dwellers.

In Chemillé-sur-Indrois, the vast lake cannot be seen at a glance. You will need to walk along it, then move away, explore the forest to discover a charterhouse, before finally returning and climbing up to get a better view. A route that will delight lovers of nature and heritage.

After crossing the village via a pleasant footpath and then a rather hilly route, you will reach the Nitray needle dam and then return to the starting point along the banks 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.

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 Chaumont to Candé (an ideal spot for a picnic) along the banks of the Loire and its tributary, the Beuvron. The return journey takes you along a beautiful forest path, through fields and around the Domaine de Chaumont.

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.

In the 15th century, the fortress of Loche symbolised royal power. On the other side of the Indre, the imposing abbey of Beaulieu-lès-Loche reigned over the souls of the people. While the course of the Indre remains peaceful, time has preserved only the magnificent buildings from this era, which you can discover as you walk along the route suggested here.

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.