Following Rabelais' footsteps
Chinon

Following Rabelais' footsteps

Heritage and history
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Bike through the Chinon countryside in the footsteps of Rabelais, the famous writer whose museum is in Seuilly: take the opportunity to discover Rivière and its superb church, and stop off at Le Vazereau, a goat farm that sells its own produce!

Description

  1. Chinon, a medieval town, and its fortress
    Chinon and its medieval city will take you back in time. Visit the royal fortress, where Joan of Arc and the future Charles VII met in 1429, and wander through the medieval town where you can sample a wide range of gastronomic specialities. 

  2. Rivière
    This village, typical of the days of the bargemen, has at its heart the church of Notre-Dame, whose original architecture is well worth a visit. Stroll along the narrow streets leading up to the banks of the Vienne and pass by some of the oldest houses in the village (14th century).

  3. The Voie Verte Richelieu - Chinon
    For just a few kilometres, you'll follow one of the first connected greenways in France, in a natural environment rich in history. Grab your smartphone for this digital and cultural adventure.

  4. La Devinière
    Continue your gastronomic journey with Gargantua, and a visit to François Rabelais' home, La Devinière, in Seuilly.

  5. Cinais
    Climb up to the Roman Camp and discover its rare heather moorland and woodland.
  • Departure : Chinon - Faubourg Saint-Jacques
  • Arrival : Chinon - Faubourg Saint-Jacques
  • Towns crossed : Chinon, Rivière, Ligré, La Roche-Clermault, Cinais, and Seuilly

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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