Sentiers des Varennes
La Chapelle-aux-Naux

Sentiers des Varennes

Fauna
River and stream
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This tour starts at the port and runs alongside the Loire, before entering the Varennes, where market gardeners thrive thanks to the soil enriched by the fertile Loire silt. It also runs alongside the Vieux-Cher, the part of the Cher that once flowed into Bréhémont.

Attachment

  • Sentier des Varennes - La Chapelle-aux-Naux

    Credit: Sentier des Varennes - La Chapelle-aux-Naux - Touraine Vallée de l'Indre

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Description

  1. Saint-Clément church
    Built in 1855 in neo-Gothic style to replace the old one, destroyed by a flood in the Loire. It houses a Limoges earthenware statuette of Saint-Clément, patron saint of bargemen. The statuette bears witness to the commercial exchanges that animated boat traffic on the river, and fed the activity of the port of La Chapelle-aux-Naux. Of particular note is the church's ceiling in the shape of an upside-down ship's hull.
  2. Port
    A former fishing and trading port on the Loire. A Natura 2000 bird sanctuary can be seen from the levee. The aim of these zones is to take greater account of biodiversity issues in human activities. These sites are designated to protect a certain number of habitats and species representative of European biodiversity. Explanatory panels describe birds such as the Pierregarin Tern with its red beak and legs, the Little Tern with its yellow beak and legs, the Common Sandpiper, the Seagull and the Gravelot. The real heritage of La Chapelle-aux-Naux is first and foremost the Loire landscape, which can be admired along the four kilometers of levees lining the river. This road, which runs from Villandry to Bréhémont and Rigny-Ussé, has become a much sought-after link route for cycle tourists. The view of the Loire is even clearer now that the levees have been cleared as a result of the work carried out to reinforce the valley. From the levee, many birds are within sight, green islands, golden sandbanks, the river has preserved its ever-changing landscapes with the seasons and the light.
  3. Old levees on the Vieux-Cher
    They are no longer of use in the event of flooding, having been levelled in places. A valve, operated by hand as needed, irrigated the commune's extensive network of ditches. On the wall of the town hall, you'll find a remarkable flood mark dating from 1866.
  • Departure : Multi-purpose hall parking lot
  • Arrival : Multi-purpose hall parking lot
  • Towns crossed : Bréhémont and La Chapelle-aux-Naux

Forecast

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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