The vineyards and gastronomy

The Touraine region already had remarkable vineyards during the 6th Century.

There has been exceptional wines produced in Touraine, which extends over the hills of the river Cher, the Loire, and the Vienne, since the 6th-century. Many famed French authors and poets, including Francois Rabelais, Pierre de Ronsard, Honoré de Balzac, and Alexandre Dumas, have writing about the outstanding offerings. Today, you will find countless caves and wine makers, from Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourgueil, Champigny and lesser known domaines, open for visits and offering tastings.

Food is a national obsession all over France, and some of the most delicious offerings originate in Touraine. Markets abound in the Loire Valley and every Wednesday and Saturday, Loches hosts an open-air marché with venders offering a bounty of organic, locally-grown and produced food and wine.

Let yourself be tempted by the refined gastronomy and regional fare, from delicious rillettes, rillons and goat cheeses to delightful tartes, gateaux and other mouthwatering specialties.

In addition, there are countless restaurants, bistros, cafés, crêperies, and wine bars from which to choose, perfect to satiate any hunger pangs and enjoy “douceur de vivre!”

The Indre valley

L’Indre is located right near the Demeure Saint-Ours. Below are some suggestions to make your stay as pleasant as possible, to walk or bike on the many bike roads of the region :

  • A canoe trip starting in Loches
  • Montrésor, one of the most beautiful village in France
  • A visit of château de Saint-Germain
  • Chedigny, a village labelled “remarkable garden”
  • The troglodytes and mushroom caves in Loches
  • The village of Genillé with its houses built between river Indrois and hills
  • A baloon trip to discover the châteaux from the skies
  • The water lake of Chemillé
  • The weekly market in Loches, inside the royal medieval city
  • The large forest of Loches and its 100 miles of trails

The Châteaux

Loches is a city of art and history and belongs to the “most beautiful detour in France”. The Demeure Saint-Ours is an ideal starting point to visit the Touraine region and its Châteaux de la Loire.

Amongst the most remarkable :

  • Loches, the medieval city is
  • Montpoupon at 3 miles
  • Chedigny, the roses village at 6 miles
  • Le Grand-Pressigny with its prehistorical collections at 18 miles
  • Chenonceau at 18 miles
  • Amboise and the Leonardo da Vinci’s residence Clos-Lucé at 15 miles
  • Chaumont sur Loire at 22 miles
  • Montrésor at 6 miles
  • Villandry at 25 miles
  • Chambord at 31 miles
  • Valencay at 18 miles
  • Beauval and its animal reserve unique in Europe at 18 miles
  • Azay le Rideau at 28 miles
  • Chambord, Cheverny, Blois at 28 miles