What to do in Montrésor, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France?

50 km from Tours, Montrésor is located on the banks of the Indrois, the river that runs through the village and in which the remains of the old fortress and its Renaissance castle are reflected. Montrésor, where half-timbered houses and semi-troglodytic dwellings blend together, is one of the three Most Beautiful Villages in France in Touraine. What places should you visit and what activities should you not miss? Follow the guide!

Montrésor, a medieval village on the balconies of the Indrois

The village of Montrésor owes its name to the treasurer of the chapter of Tours cathedral, who owned his estate there in the 10th century. The history of this small commune of 351 inhabitants is closely linked to that of its castle, built at the beginning of the 11th century on a rocky spur overlooking the beautiful Indrois valley. It was Foulques III, known as Foulques "Nerra" ("the black hawk") for his dark complexion, then Count of Anjou, who ordered the construction of the fortress overlooking the Indrois Valley.

The aim of the man nicknamed "one of the most restless fighters of the Middle Ages" by the medievalist historian Achille Luchaire? To prevent access to the plateaux between Loches, Montrichard and Amboise and thus defend the territory of Touraine. Inside the fortress, Imbert de Batarney, adviser to Kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I, had the Renaissance-style castle built in the 15th century. This royal advisor, who became one of the richest men in the kingdom, also had the Collegiate Church of St John the Baptist built.

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What are the must-do activities in Montrésor?

Stroll through the streets to discover the village and don't forget to taste the excellent macaroons and Indrois wines!
Castle (11th to 15th century): a must-see in the village, the ruins of the medieval fortress are still visible today. As a witness to the medieval past of the castle of Montrésor, the double enclosure has seen a succession of illustrious owners... If you are passing through, don't miss a visit to the magnificent romantic park.
Collégiale Saint Baptiste (16th century): Built in the Renaissance style, the collegiate church was founded in 1521 by Imbert de Batarnay, Lord of Montrésor. It is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and houses the burial place of his family.
Halle des Cardeux: A building with an atypical architecture dating from the 17th century, the building was the place where the craftsmen "carded" the wool. In other words, they combed the wool to untangle the fibres, thus restoring its original thickness. Classified as a Historic Monument since 1926, the Hall is the symbol of the village's craftsmanship, renowned for its wool production until the French Revolution. Today it houses a permanent exhibition on the technique of gemmail and the history of the Montrésorois.
"Nuits Solaires": If you visit Montrésor during the summer, don't miss this light show with sound and the animations on the balcony of the Indrois, from July to August. The show is sure to dazzle you!

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What to see in the vicinity of Montrésor?

2 kilometres from Montrésor, enjoy a swim in the lake of Chemillé. A leisure centre around the lake offers various water activities such as pedal boats, canoeing, fishing. You can also go hiking, cycling or horse riding. And for the more adventurous, the Clic'lac Terres d'Aventure park offers courses in the trees, a large tyrolean traverse that runs above the water and a sledge run... in the air!

Less than 5 kilometres away, visit Chartreuse du Liget, a former Carthusian monastery, built towards the end of the XIIᵉ century by Henry II, King of England and Count of Anjou. In Loches, located 17 km from Montrésor, visit the Royal City, and its keeps. Finally, have you ever seen a village transformed into a garden? Well, to end your stay in style, go to Chedigny-village aux Roses, the only village in France classified as a Remarkable Garden!