Hike among pear orchards
Rivarennes

Hike among pear orchards

Culinary
Flora
Heritage and history
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This heritage trail takes you on a tour of the Poire Tapée orchards, following the Japoule, Rivarennes' sunken lanes.

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  • Circuit de la Japoule - Rivarennes

    Credit: Circuit de la Japoule - Rivarennes - Touraine Vallée de l'Indre

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Description

  1. Maison de la Poire Tapée
    Back from the Crusades, farmers learned to preserve fruit by drying it for transport. This is the result of long and painstaking dehydration. The association of the same name has been in existence since 1987. Through an interactive scenography, it tells you its history and the stages of production. A tasting session will introduce you to this ancestral Rivarennes culinary specialty. Open to visitors from April to October.
  2. Turpenay stream valley
    A tributary of the Indre, the Turpenay stream has been partially restored to improve water quality, promote the reproduction of flora and fauna, recharge groundwater and limit downstream flooding.
  3. Pear trees
    Rooted on the stony slopes of Rivarennes, a few old "Curé" pear trees, around 4 m tall, stand out here and there. Harvested in October, their flesh is firm and tasty when cooked. There is also a low-stemmed "Conference" pear. This more recent variety has sweet, juicy flesh and is harvested in September.
  4. Safeguarding orchard
    In 1992, the association cleared an old, abandoned orchard and turned it into a conservation orchard. Old varieties of pear can be found there, both high and low stemmed: Martin sec, Petit-vert, Derouet, Grosse Grise... Then, as the association grew, it bought another low-stem orchard and overgrafted it with old varieties: Colmar, Queue de rat, Aigre Papin and Japoule. Fruit picked in September and October is used to produce the delicious Poire Tapée. Tours of the orchards are available by appointment.
  5. Manoir de la Cueille
    All that remains of the château built for the d'Espinay family is a section of wall. It was here that Beaumarchais stayed from 1767 to 1770, when he directed the cutting of wood in the Chinon forest, as requested by the Archbishop of Tours to repair his château.
  6. Japoule traffic circle
    The Japoule, a very old "pouère" (pear in old Tourangeau dialect), widespread in the region, is the emblematic figure of the Poire Tapée. Made of wrought iron and wicker for the occasion.
  • Departure : Espace Camuset
  • Arrival : Espace Camuset
  • Towns crossed : Rivarennes

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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