Between Vienne and vineyards
Vue de l'intérieur de l'église de Rivière
Vue de l'intérieur de l'église de Rivière
Rivière

Between Vienne and vineyards

River and stream
Vineyard
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A typical village from the days of the bargemen and washerwomen, the oldest houses in Rivière are located in rue de la Vienne and rue des pêcheurs, dating back to the 16th century.
Older traces have been found, with the presence of Gallo-Roman remains and, in particular, the immediate vicinity of a ford across the Vienne, built in Gallo-Roman times on the road between Tours and Saumur. This ford contributed to the legend of the founding of a church, attributed to Saint-Martin, on the route it took between Tours and Candes.

Description

  1. Rivière church
    Rivière church has a crypt (3rd century, extremely curious, presumed to date from the time of Saint Gatien). The present church was built in the 5th and 6th centuries. The bell tower, which flanks the church to the south, and the choir with its flat chevet date from the 11th century.
  2. Old towpath
    Boats were often pulled along the water by sturdy horses, which remained on the towpath. The towpath still exists and runs the length of Rivière à Chinon.

  3. Turn right and at the Cross of the Port, placed by a missionary in 1913, take the road to the left

  4. As you walk through the wine-growing area of Rivière (A.O.C Chinon), you will come across the Maison de Fuie, built by the wine-growers.

  5. At the top of the hill, you can admire the valley of the Vienne, practically from L'Île-Bouchard to Chinon.
  • Departure : Town hall square
  • Arrival : Town hall square
  • Towns crossed : Rivière, Ligré, and Chinon

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
The site was designated in 2005 under the Birds Directive. The Park has been coordinating the site since 2010 (initially for the period 2010-2016, then renewed for 2016-2019 and 2019-2022), in conjunction with the CPIE Touraine-Val de Loire and the Indre-et-Loire Chamber of Agriculture.

The low valleys are largely covered by natural flood meadows, which are mown and/or grazed. These meadows form large complexes that are home to rare and endangered birds: corncrake, red-backed shrike, meadowlark, spotted crake, etc.

Certain sectors are characterized by a dense bocage network, with pollarded trees surrounding the meadows (Véron bocage): this is the home of the Common Fritillary, Natterjack Toad, Great Capricorn... 

Finally, the banks of the Vienne and Indre rivers are occupied by alluvial woodlands and poplar plantations.
Impacted practices:
Aquatic, Land
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Contact:
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