Balzacien Hike
Thilouze
Network
Balzacien Hike
Medium
Difficulty5h
Duration20,4km
Distance+175m
Positive Elevation-177m
Negative ElevationLoop
Course typeEmbed this item to access it offline
Attachment
- Downloadpdf
Sentier Balzacien - Thilouze - Saché - Pont-de-Ruan
Credit: Sentier Balzacien - Thilouze - Saché - Pont-de-Ruan - Touraine Vallée de l'Indre
Description
- Church of Saint-Antoine du Désert
The bell tower, listed as a Monument Historique, comprises a base dating back to 1164 and an octagonal stone spire. The 12th-century nave and square ogival choir are illuminated by 12 stained-glass windows from the Lobin workshop in Tours (1871-1872). The exterior wall features 3 carved canonic dials. - Lavoir du Pont de la Boulogne
Located on the Pont Thibault stream, this washhouse may evoke a washerwoman's box. - Panel featuring extracts from Balzac's La Pucelle de Thilouze.
- Old Roman road
Still visible between Pont-de-Ruan and Thilouze, it linked Tours to Poitiers. It is known as the Grand Chemin or Chemin Ferré. - Moulin Rouge wash-house
Located on the Barres stream. - L'Osier
Used for basketry. The Salix Triandra "Noir de Villaines" produced by Saché's wicker makers is recognized as the best in the world. - Château de Saché - Musée Balzac
Place Alexandre Calder (departure from Saché) and Eglise Saint-Martin de Vertou - In Saché, explanatory panels allow you to discover in greater detail the heritage features from n°8 to N°10.
- Tobacco kiln
- La Métairie
- Saint-Martin fountain
An ancient devotional fountain already known to the Gauls, transformed into a drinking trough and washhouse, then used as a watercress plantation in the 20th century. - Cloche d'Or dairy
Established in 1898, this dairy has been called "La Cloche d'Or" since 1923, renowned for the quality of its cheeses. - Auberge de la Corne d'Or
Former 17th-century stopover inn for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. - Les Moulins Lambert (departure from Pont-de-Ruan)
The Moulin Lambert was built in 1285. Moulin Gilet produced bread flour until 1959 and ice-cream loaves until 1972. Today, the site is brought back to life thanks to the efforts of a local association. - Chapelle Sainte-Apolline
Patron saint of dental surgeons. - Hexagonal Oratory of the Holy Trinity
Each pilgrim prays and then throws his or her oblong at the foot of the modest altar.
Sacred fountain: on Holy Trinity Sunday, the sick came here in the hope of supernatural healing.
Lavoir: dating from 1907, it retains its fireplace and brick-framed door. - Eglise de la Sainte-Trinité
The original church was founded by Saint Brice in 444 on the foundations of a Roman house. It was rebuilt in the 11th century, after the Norman incursions. - Saint-Michel Cross
Iron cross. - Vineyard lodge
Relocated here in 2004, it provided a sheltered place for farmers to eat and rest. - Saint-Charles or Gibault cross
Erected in 1928 for Saint-Roch's Day, the solemn feast of the Saint-Roch association, a mutual assistance society for farmers in Thilouze, under the patronage of Saint-Roch (stained-glass window in the church). - Pont du Bourg public washhouse
Built in 1885 on the Pont-Thibault stream, near the home of cobbler Lenay, to whom Balzac used to walk from Saché to have his shoes repaired.
- Departure : Thilouze - Espace Saint-Antoine
- Arrival : Thilouze - Espace Saint-Antoine
- Towns crossed : Thilouze, Saché, and Pont-de-Ruan
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.
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:
Information desks
Rd 910, 37250 Montbazon
4 Rue du Château, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: