The best road cycling routes around Saint-Christophe-En-Bazelle

Very pleasant by bike or on foot the only bar in the village (le paris) is highly appreciated and especially the terrace spot by hikers of all backgrounds

Did you know: During the First World War, the castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers by its owner, Simonne Menier (of the Menier chocolate family). – Long rows of camp beds lined the large gallery above the Cher River. – More than 2,000 wounded were reportedly cared for within the castle walls. A bizarre contrast: the ornate Renaissance halls as a place for bandages, operations, and recovery.

it's very pleasant

From here you can admire the castle in peace and quiet.

Great photo spot for the castle

Inspired by a Venetian Palace, it was Catherine de Medici who gave Chenonceau its unique architecture. This Renaissance masterpiece, nicknamed the "Château des Dames" is also exceptional for the richness of its history. In 1513, Katherine Briçonnet directed the construction work. Then it was successively embellished by Diane de Poitiers, the King's mistress, initiator of the bridge and Catherine de Medici who imagined the two refined galleries that span the river. It was François 1er who married the Florentine with his son Henri II. By marrying him, this illustrious queen would make Chenonceau and the court of France shine with all the Italian splendor. Obtained at the time of Diane de Poitiers' disgrace, this dream home has always been her favorite residence. She stayed there very often, offering her sons memorable parties. But Catherine had more ambitious plans, and wanted to make her "castle on the water" a grand residence of the Court. A true art gallery, Chenonceau is also distinguished by the wealth of its collections, tapestries and paintings by the greatest European masters of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Médicis gallery is a Cabinet of Curiosities that also presents many treasures, as well as documents allowing a better understanding of the stages of construction and the highlights of the history of the château. In 2019, to celebrate "500 years of Renaissance" and pay tribute to Catherine de Médicis, the château opened a new place to the public: "The Queen's Apothecary", the only one presented in a monument in the Loire Valley. Restored "in situ" for 3 years, it houses priceless sets of precious pots, paintings and mortars. Visiting Chenonceau also means discovering sumptuous historic gardens, a new contemporary garden, as well as a Labyrinth and a Flower Vegetable Garden. The 80-hectare park is home to many animals and birds living in freedom. Visitors can walk there freely, with their pets, because the castle is Pet Friendly. In 2020: The “Cabinet of Physics and Chemistry of Chenonceau”, created by Jean Jacques ROUSSEAU in the 18th century, will open its doors to the public, and the summer Night Walk will be enriched with new illuminations.

Built in the 1760s, the Château de Bouges located near Valençay elegantly illustrates the arts of the 18th century. When Claude Leblanc de Carnaval bought the estate in 1765, the old building present until then was razed to make way for an “Italian-style house”. This new, up-to-date construction displays the ambition of the rich ironmaster, who managed to rise in the world of Parisian finance and was recently ennobled. Ruined twelve years later, his castle was seized and sold. During the 19th century, successive buyers included the Prince of Talleyrand and Henri Dufour, who restored the castle and had the park landscaped in the English style. The Château de Bouges owes its transformation above all to the Viguier couple: Henry, director of a Parisian department store, and his wife Renée. Acquired in 1917, the Château de Bouges regained its initial vocation as a sumptuous residence. The Viguier couple brought the castle back to life with the acquisition of exceptional furniture dating from the 18th century, which wonderfully expresses the taste for well-being and refinement specific to the society of that era in harmony with the setting. Left without descendants, they bequeathed the castle to the State in 1967. Of elegant Italian construction, the charm of this castle lies in its inhabited appearance. A visit that will transport you to the elegance of the 18th century! After visiting the castle, be sure to discover the English-style park designed by the landscaper Achille Duchêne at the beginning of the 20th century. The winding paths allow you to discover varied views of the Château de Bouges all along the walk. The stone balustrade separates the park from the French garden where boxwood embroidery and trimmed yews are bordered by lime trees. The old vegetable garden, transformed into a flower garden by Madame Viguier, is today dedicated to the cultivation of flowers used for the composition of the bouquets which adorn the rooms of the castle. A visit to the outbuildings made up of the stables, the saddlery and the orangery allows you to discover Henri Viguier's passion for horse riding.

Nice view of the village crossing the bridge, with the castle and Museums of Montrichard in the distance. The castle is an 11th century fortress, now a museum.