La Belle au bois dormant
Bréhémont
La Belle au bois dormant
Easy
1h
0m
+0m
0m
Loop
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Description
1. Le château d'Ussé
At the edge of the mysterious Chinon forest, its high white silhouette dominating the Indre Valley, Ussé, the castle in Sleeping Beauty which inspired Perrault’s famous story, is the symbol of the medieval castle. The terraced gardens were designed by Le Nôtre, creator of the gardens at Versailles.
2. Le village de Rigny-Ussé
To link the Castle and the town centre, a 1km heritage interpretation trail leads through the village. A nature trail also leaves from the Château, in a bucolic setting by the water. You can also discover the «Bardeaux de l’Indre» sensitive natural area.
3. L'église Notre Dame de Rigny
Built in the 12th century, the church has a single nave with three rows of rib vaulting. An opening in the middle of the transept leads to a cavity with a flowing spring. Closed in 1860, the church is gradually being renovated thanks to the efforts of a local association which also offers tours and concerts in summer.
4. La Loire
Europe’s last untamed river, the Loire has always fascinated. For a picnic or a break, you will be in front of a unique landscape listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
5. L'oratoire Notre-Dame-Des-Eaux
This little monument, just past the Pont Neuf, was built just after the flood in 1846. The niche houses a modern plaster Virgin. On one side, two flood level marks have been cut into the tufa stone.
At the edge of the mysterious Chinon forest, its high white silhouette dominating the Indre Valley, Ussé, the castle in Sleeping Beauty which inspired Perrault’s famous story, is the symbol of the medieval castle. The terraced gardens were designed by Le Nôtre, creator of the gardens at Versailles.
2. Le village de Rigny-Ussé
To link the Castle and the town centre, a 1km heritage interpretation trail leads through the village. A nature trail also leaves from the Château, in a bucolic setting by the water. You can also discover the «Bardeaux de l’Indre» sensitive natural area.
3. L'église Notre Dame de Rigny
Built in the 12th century, the church has a single nave with three rows of rib vaulting. An opening in the middle of the transept leads to a cavity with a flowing spring. Closed in 1860, the church is gradually being renovated thanks to the efforts of a local association which also offers tours and concerts in summer.
4. La Loire
Europe’s last untamed river, the Loire has always fascinated. For a picnic or a break, you will be in front of a unique landscape listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
5. L'oratoire Notre-Dame-Des-Eaux
This little monument, just past the Pont Neuf, was built just after the flood in 1846. The niche houses a modern plaster Virgin. On one side, two flood level marks have been cut into the tufa stone.
- Departure : Ussé Castle parking
- Arrival : Ussé Castle parking
- Towns crossed : Bréhémont
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.
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:
- Impacted practices:
- Aerial, Aquatic, Land
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJul
- Contact:
Information desks
4 Rue du Château, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau
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