The best walks and hikes around Meusnes

A very scenic underground church

On the banks of the Cher River, the medieval town of Saint-Aignan, listed as a remarkable heritage site, appeals to heritage lovers as well as those who enjoy local products and unusual walks. A medieval town in the heart of the Loire Valley châteaux (50 km south of Tours) and 2 km from the Beauval Zoo. In Saint-Aignan, you will first be impressed by the Renaissance château, which overlooks the town. Adorned with the famous scallop shell and the Salamander of Francis I, it was built on the site of an ancient 9th-century fortress, of which only the Hagard Tower remains today. Construction continued in the 19th century with the addition of an octagonal tower. While the château, now privately owned, is not open to the public, you can nevertheless access its main courtyard and terrace by taking a staircase from the collegiate church. https://www.ville-saintaignan.com/saint-aignan-cite-exception

Saint-Aignan (formerly known as Saint-Aignan-en-Berry or Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher) is a French commune located in the Loir-et-Cher department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Built on a hillside on the banks of the Cher River, the town enjoyed a highly desirable location at the crossroads of three provinces: Orléanais, Berry, and Touraine. Its historic urban architecture features narrow streets and numerous monuments. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Aignan_(Loir-et-Cher)

The small town of Saint-Aignan on the Cher with its stately castle and pretty church.

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Aignan is a French church located in the center of the city of Orléans, on the north bank of the Loire River, in the Loiret department in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It is dedicated to Saint Aignan, Bishop of Orléans. This beautiful church was originally built for the cult of Saint Aignan, whose relics were kept in the crypt. The current basilica, begun by Charles VII in 1438 but completed in 1509 by Louis XII, is not the first construction, as traces of buildings dating from the 6th, 9th, 11th, 14th, and 15th centuries have been found. They were all destroyed by fire, floods, or human hands. The people of Orléans, and in particular the canons, have always been keen to rebuild this building because Saint Aignan is an important figure in the history of Orléans, due to the role he played against the barbarians in the 5th century. While bishop of the city, he is said to have miraculously defended it against the Hun invasion in 451. https://www.tourismeloiret.com/fr/diffusio/visites/collegiale-saint-aignan-orleans_TFOPCUCEN045V501HHG

Saint Aignan, who died in 453 after defending the people of Orleans against the Huns, was buried in a first tomb. As veneration of his relics grew, a basilica was built. A community of monks settled there, and canons replaced them in the 9th century. Following the damage caused by Norman attacks and the fire of 999, Charles the Bald began reconstruction, and Robert the Pious completed the Romanesque church with its crypt housing the relics of Saint Aignan. This church was consecrated on June 14, 1029. We will soon celebrate its millennium. https://collegiale-saintaignan-dorleans.fr/la-crypte/

Collegiate Church of Saint-Aignan https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coll%C3%A9giale_Saint-Aignan_de_Saint-Aignan

Collegiate church and crypt with frescoes https://www.val-de-loire-41.com/visite/collegiale-et-crypte-avec-fresques-pcu41aasor100182/