Washhouses and collegiate church of the Roches Tranchelion
Photographie du lavoir du Jautrou, l'un des nombreux lavoirs sur cette randonnée.
Photographie du lavoir du Jautrou, l'un des nombreux lavoirs sur cette randonnée.
Avon-les-Roches

Washhouses and collegiate church of the Roches Tranchelion

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Famous for its nine washhouses perched on the banks of streams, this village has much more to discover along its paths.

Description

  1. Place de la Mairie
    The ramble starts from the town hall square (Place de la Mairie), usual meeting place for walkers. Walk past the church built in 1120 (where you can still see a gothic inscription related to the death of Charles the Boldengraved on the left of the narthex), then turn right onto the road, following the yellow waymarkers.
  2. Cemetery
    When you reach the cemetery, turn left in front of the wall (where a monument by Legrain and Bury was erected in memory of the Belgian soldiers who died during the first World War). On the inside is a calvaire (a representation of the crucifixion) with a 16th century crucifix.
  3. Roches Tranchelion
    Turn right in the direction of the Roches Tranchelion collegiate church, and follow the narrow dirt path. From here you can enjoy beautiful views over the Manse valley. Continue to the Roches washhouse where a picnic area offers walkers a pleasant stop.
  4. Rue Chaude
    Follow the waymarked path that passes the Roches Tranchelion collegiate church, a rare Touraine example of French Renaissance religious architecture. Although little of the fortress remains, the ruins of the church are very beautiful. Continue along the rue chaude (hot street), thus called because of its exposure to the sun. On the left, you'll see two trolgodytes dwellings, once inhabited. You will then cross a beautiful forest with a rich variety of trees including firs and oaks.
  5. Sévaudières
    Descend to the hamlet of Sévaudières with fields, crops and copses on both sids of the path. Sévaudières is a typical hamlet of Touraine, rustic and traditional with delightful flowers. If you head to the left, you will see an original washhouse with three slate roofs, fed by a little river.
  6. Ruchard moors
    Ascend to the heathland of Ruchard (where the local heath is used to make brooms, fences, small huts and obstacles for horse races). Admire the uninterrupted panoramic view over the heathland from the top. Pass alongside the new solar farm where you can see almost 30 hectares of photovoltaic panels from a viewpoint before continuing through fielkds and underwood.
  7. Touche Hulin
    Descend to Touche Hulin, a hamlet adorned with flowers and surrounded by blooming lavender in early summer. Before you reach the hamlet, a "10 km" sign on the left-hand side indicates that you can shorten the route to get back to Avon-les-Roches sooner.
  8. Puy Chauveau
    If you are continuingn on the 13-km route, cross the road. When you reach the hamlet of Puits Chauveau, you will see another pretty washhouse down below you. The route is now dominated by woodland as you continue the ramble through the heart of a varied landscape with paths that run alongside under-wood, fields of grain and a poplar plantation. Walk down to la Jouardière: stop to contemplate the beautiful view on the village and its surrounding landscape. Walk on to Jautrou where a former washhouse is worth being seen.
  9. Vineyard
    Descending again towards the village, you will see the vines of of the famous Chinon wine; Avon-les-Roches is on the touristic wine route. When you arrive in the village, you'll reach the end of the walk. Pass the stadium and the washhouse (Rue de la Poste) and head towards the church and then the town hall.
  • Departure : Place de la Mairie
  • Arrival : Place de la Mairie
  • Towns crossed : Avon-les-Roches and Crissay-sur-Manse

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