In the heart of Berry Champagne, between the Brenne, this majestic land of a thousand lakes and the romantic Boischaut Sud, the twenty-three towns of our destination are waiting for you. They reveal their most beautiful attractions here. Heritage, nature, architecture, etc. Let's go for an overview of our territory!
Deols
On the banks of the Indre, to the north of Châteauroux, stand the remains of the Benedictine abbey of Notre-Dame de Déols, founded in 917. Classified as a Cluniac site, it was one of the largest Romanesque churches in France.
Near the site of the abbey, the Saint-Étienne church has retained its Romanesque facade, its XNUMXth century bell tower and its XNUMXth century nave. It houses two XNUMXth century crypts containing the magnificently sculpted tombs of Saint-Léocade and Saint-Ludre.
Finally, the door of the clock with its two towers and its machicolation crown as well as the door of the Perrin bridge recall the existence of the fortified enclosure.
Quinces
The church of Saint-Paul and Saint-Pierre was built in the early 1820s to bring together the two parishes present in the town. In particular, you can admire the polychrome wooden statues of the two saints as well as a fresco representing their respective martyrs. Fishing lovers and walkers will also appreciate the charm of the Etang de Coings.
Montierchaume
The sacristy of the Saint-Maurice church (XNUMXth century) is decorated with a wooden statue from the XNUMXth century, listed as a historical monument and recalling the foundation of the village.
Vestiges of the old monastery still remain, in particular at the level of the choir of the church where one can admire polychrome frescoes recalling the monastic origin of the parish and richly decorated capitals, copies of those of the Benedictine abbey. Notre-Dame de Déols (of which only vestiges remain).
Diors
We will stop in front of the Notre-Dame des Ailes chapel (1944th century), dedicated to the Virgin. We will also admire the remains of a XNUMXth century castle, unfortunately almost completely destroyed in XNUMX during an American bombardment carried out by mistake.
Maron
The town of Mâron is located on the old Gallo-Roman road which led from Argentomagus (Saint-Marcel) to Avaricium (Bourges). In the heart of this charming village, you can admire the Saint-Pierre church (XNUMXth century) as well as the exteriors of a castle from the Middle Ages.
Sassierges-Saint-Germain
The Saint-Germain church (XNUMXth century) is listed as a historical monument.
It has a steeple covered with chestnut shingles (or tiles) as well as a pretty carved portal with four capitals reminiscent of the statuary of the Benedictine abbey of Notre-Dame de Déols. Not far from the city, you can also enjoy the enchanting setting of the Liennet fountain.
Fiery
The Romanesque church of Saint-Martin (XNUMXth century), whose construction is linked to that of the Benedictine abbey of Déols in the XNUMXth century, is classified as a historical monument. Crossing the Indre after a walk along the white path, ideal for walking or fishing, you can admire on the other bank the Saint-Vincent church, in Gothic style (XNUMXth century) and its XNUMXth century bell tower. .
Game-the-Woods
The Romanesque church of Saint-Maximin dates from the XNUMXth century.
We will admire the very pretty windows as well as the keystones, one of them being decorated with the coat of arms of the Chauvignys.
Arthon
The Saint-Martin church (XNUMXth century), located in the town of Arthon, contains a XNUMXth century funerary slab and contemporary frescoes. In addition, in one of the clearings of the state forest of Châteauroux, stands the Notre-Dame du Chêne chapel (XNUMXth century), a place of pilgrimage.
Le Poinçonnet
In Lourouer-les-Bois, you can admire the bell tower of an old church (XNUMXth century) dating back to the origins of the commune of Poinçonnet.
In the national forest, there was once the Château de la Mothe, of which only two large ditches remain today, reminiscent of the old moats that once surrounded the village and the medieval keep.
During a walk in the forest you can discover the ruins of the abbey of the order of Grandmont (XNUMXth century) and stroll along the side of the ponds of Berthommiers and the Two Brothers, wagers of the efforts of the monks to develop their framework of life.
Etrechet
The Saint-Pierre church dates from 1839 and replaces the initial church, destroyed during the French Revolution.
Glossy
Gateway to the Regional Natural Park of Brenne, Luant welcomes you to the land of a thousand ponds. An essential place for fishing and walking in the territory, the Duris pond thus offers an exceptional natural setting that will delight walkers and fishermen.
Located in the heart of the town, the Saint Jean-Baptiste church (XNUMXth century) has unfortunately suffered the ravages of time and the French Revolution. It was rebuilt during the XNUMXth century. The original side chapel has a door with an accolade surmounted by a hammered shield and oak stalls (wooden seats in the choir reserved for the clergy) dating from the XNUMXth century.
The Orthemale Chapel
The natural beauties of Berry Champagne can be found in the heart of this charming little farming village located at the gates of Brenne. The Artimalians have a rich history dating back to the Merovingian period and have on their land a very pretty little Romanesque church from the XNUMXth century dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Probably built in the XNUMXth century, the castle has retained its charm of yesteryear with its main building flanked by three turrets.
Buzancais
This city of Gallo-Roman origin is known for its rich heritage: Saint-Lazare chapel, Sainte-Croix priory (XVe century), pavilion of the Dukes (last vestige of a XNUMXth century castle), La Pleureuse by the Indian sculptor Ernest Nivet, the salt loft, the large mills, etc.
St. Knee
Come and enjoy the vast body of water with a fitness trail, playgrounds and picnic areas, as well as an area dedicated to fishing and a supervised swimming area during the summer.
Souged
Admire the XNUMXth century Saint-Hilaire churche century restored by Henri Dauvergne, son of Alfred Dauvergne and who was after him the departmental architect of Indre.
Argy
Classified as historical monuments, the Château d'Argy estate extends over 40 hectares in Berry Champagne. This magnificent family castle perfectly transitions between the architecture of the Middle Ages and that of the Renaissance with very beautiful architectural elements in the Louis XII style. The visitor will particularly appreciate the very elegant double-level gallery adjoining the keep, the machicolations and the traces of the drawbridge.
Visits are now organized throughout the summer on Wednesdays and weekends at 16 p.m. for individuals. Let the owners share with you their experience of daily life in a castle!
Saint-Lactincin
The etymological origins of the name of this charming little village in Berry Champagne remain a mystery. There is indeed no saint of this name! The parish is also dedicated to Saint-Clément. If it once belonged to the abbey of Saint-Gildas in Châteauroux, the XNUMXth century church seems to have been inspired by the architecture of that of Déols. The magnificent square tower is indeed reminiscent of the only surviving bell tower of the Cluniac site.
At her's
By following the course of the Trégonce, the walker is invited to enjoy a bucolic stroll through time. Formerly served by the Roman road linking Levroux to Mehun-sur-Indre, the town of this small village nestled in the heart of the Berry countryside has preserved beautiful Gallo-Roman riches such as the numismatic treasures revealed over the centuries and the two burials .
The church retains vestiges dating from the 1980th century, themselves built on foundations from the XNUMXth or XNUMXth century. From medieval times, only traces of the square keep survived for a long time before disappearing during the XNUMXs.
Villedieu-sur-Indre
Located on the right bank of the Indre, Villedieu-sur-Indre carries with it the vestiges of a historic past of vibrant diversity, closely linked to that of Châteauroux and Déols.
It is thus to Raoul le Large, lord of Déols and founder of the eponymous castle at the origin of the city of Castelroussine, that we owe the construction in the XNUMXth century of the Saint-Sébastien church. In the following century, one of his descendants received the land of Villedieu and built a castle there which was razed two centuries later and then rebuilt ten years later.
Today there are unfortunately only a few vestiges that can be admired from the Val de l'Indre golf course.
The niches
The banks of the Indre are full of secret places whose mysteries are revealed at the bend of quiet paths and peaceful walks. The source of the Demoiselle à la Saura is one of those places steeped in history that have gone down in legend.
Doesn't the latter say that this is where the lovers of Niherne meet?
In these verdant lands, the Renard and Sablière ponds will delight fishermen who can indulge their passion. From the Paleolithic remains revealed in Parçay and Vaux to the Romanesque church of Saint-Sulpice from the 1050th century without forgetting the priory of Surins dating from XNUMX, Niherne and its surroundings open to you like the pages of a history book.
Saint-Maur
In this charming town located in the heart of lush greenery stands the church dedicated to Saint-Maur (XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries), adorned with a sundial and inside which are kept the relics of the saint. During a walk you will also admire beautiful mansions and XNUMXth century castles. We will stop at the Château des Planches (XNUMXth century) to take advantage of its magnificent park opening onto the Ebbes Valley or, nearby, at the Château de Laleuf, which was the property of General Bertrand, a close friend of Napoleon I. Don't miss the fortified farm and the pond of Grandeffe (in the direction of Luant) or the springs of La Demoiselle, route de Niherne.
In the former town of Villers-les-Ormes, at a place called "Le Treuillaud", you can admire the main buildings from the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. In the village, we will stop in front of the Saint-Laurent church, rebuilt on the foundations of a building whose origins could date back to the time of the Capetians. Abandoned, sold and then transformed into a barn at the end of the XNUMXth century, the church was reborn from its ashes at the end of the XNUMXth century.
Also discover
From the Ebbes Valley to the Cordeliers convent, from the Raoul castle to the Bertrand museum, find all the places not to be missed during your stay in Châteauroux.
