Francueil walks

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

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.

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!

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.

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.