Saint-Jacques by bike via Touraine Val de Vienne

Heritage and history

River and stream

Wren

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The Via Turonensis or Tours route is the longest pilgrimage route to Santiago. Once heavily traveled, "the grand chemin de Saint Jacques" welcomed walkers from the North (United Kingdom) and the Northeast of Europe (Scandinavia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium). Characterized by its gentle slopes, it has been cycled for the past 20 years by Nordic cyclists. Today, it is the most frequented pilgrimage route by cyclists in France.

Embark on a cycling adventure through the bucolic landscapes of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Maillé, Nouâtre, Marcilly-sur-Vienne, Ports-sur-Vienne, Pussigny, Antogny-le-Tillac and their surroundings from the famous Jeanne d'Arc trail!

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Description

Notre-Dame de Lorette Chapel in Saint-Epain
This out-of-the-ordinary chapel is dug into the cliff. It might have been built in the 14th or 15th century. A shell carving next to the stoup is a reminder of the Way of Saint James. A pilgrimage takes place here every year on the 1st Sunday in October
Courtineau Valley
Alongside the river, the green valley has a little road winding along the chalk cliff where there are numerous troglodytic dwellings
Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine's covered marketplace
Built in 1448 by Armard de la Rochefoucauld, the covered marketplace was restored in 1672 by Anne of Rohan. It sheltered salt warehouses, destroyed in the 19th century. It now presents on its east and west facades two monumental doors surmounted each by a curved pediment supported by consoles and angels coming out of bunches of fruits
Castle and Crypt
The castle was first built around 990 by Foulques Nerra, then replaced by a stone building with a central keep in the 14th century. The 11th-century crypt lying under the church has three parallel naves with rounded Romanesque vaults
Saint Mesnin priory
Founded by Hugues 1st of Sainte-Maure and built in 1050. Only the north part of the transept of this Romanesque-style building, with its two apsidioles, remains
The Freedom Cross
The trefoil cross is singular because of its original shape and the circular ambulatory around it. It stands at the beginning of the GR655 footpath at the south of the town.
The Bouniers Dolmen dates back to 4000 or 5000 B.C. Neolithic poeples used it as a funerary momument.
The village of Maillé
On August 25th, 1944, while Paris was celebrating the Liberation, 124 inhabitants of the village were killed by German soldiers. This tragedy is recounted in the "Maison du Souvenir", the "House of Memory". The church, dedicated to Saint-Martin, has foundations and a porch from the 11th Century. The three shells on Maillé's coat of arms recall the emblem of the pilgrim, bearer of peace.
Saint-Léger Church, Nouâtre
Built in 1483, the church stands in place of a former building dedicated to Saint Révérend whose life is recounted on a long fresco of 12 scenes. A monumental altarpiece with Saint Léger's and its central altar. A representation of Saint James can be found on each of the five paintings representing the Passion of Christ.
Noyers Abbey
To the south of Nouatre's village, this former Benedictine Abbey was founded by the knight Sir Hubert, companion of Foulques Nerra. Imposing 18th century buildings still remain, including the entrance gate with a coat-of-arms topped with a royal crown. Part of the paving of the chapter house is in the church of Noyers.
Tympanum of Marcilly sur Vienne
Saint Blaise Church was built at the end of the 15th Century. Built in local stone, with a gothic architecture, it shows the influence of the Renaissance. It is a charming example of Touraine's art at the end of the Middle Ages. On the church's end walls, graffiti show the level of the most important floods experienced by the Vienne valley's inhabitants. The most ancient dates back to 1530, and the flood of Jully, 1792 remains the one with the highest level ever recorded. These precious testimonies are a "cast in stone" memory for local history.

Departure : Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois
Arrival : Antogny-le-Tillac
Towns crossed : Antogny-le-Tillac, Maillé, Marcilly-sur-Vienne, Nouâtre, Ports-sur-Vienne, Pussigny, Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, and Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine

Forecast

Recommandations

Accommodations

Since 2011, The "Halte Jacquaire", a refuge of the village of Vaux held by welcoming neighbors, has become a must in the way of Saint James. It is reserved for pilgrims with their credential. The campsites of Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine and Marcilly-sur-Vienne are equipped with shelters for cyclists (accommodations on stills) and labeled "Accueil Vélo" ("home bikes"). Their hosting capacities make it possible to satisfy the increasing demand from pilgrims on foot or on bicycles.