The best traffic-free bike rides around Paulnay

Located in the heart of the Brenne regional natural park, the Azay-le-Ferron castle, rich in architecture stretching from the 15th to the 18th century, will transport you through styles and eras. Throughout the visit, you will discover living rooms, bedrooms, dining room, kitchen, library. Approximately fifteen sumptuously furnished rooms in which the Hersent-Luzarche family lived, owners since 1852. The last descendant of this family, Marthe Hersent-Luzarch, bequeathed the estate to the city of Tours in 1951, giving it the mission of open the doors of this exceptional place to the public. This exceptional ensemble is located in a remarkable 26-hectare green setting redeveloped by Denis and Eugène Bülher, a famous 19th century landscaper. They imagined a landscaped park decorated with numerous groves where a multitude of tree species, boxwood beds and topiaries coexist, the collection of which is renowned among the most beautiful in France. The walk continues into the flower gardens where the collection rose dominates. A conservatory orchard based on old varieties of apples and pears completes the plant diversity of the site. Lively tours in period costumes will allow you to discover the castle from a new perspective. They will notably be an opportunity to see rooms usually closed to the public, while having the opportunity to meet with guides and actors around a tasting of local products.

An exceptionally bucolic castle located in the middle of 55 hectares of greenery. Average duration of individual visit: 45 minutes. Average duration of the group visit: 1 hour. Animals are accepted. Languages available: French, English, German, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian

Pretty pass on the river, with the bell tower of Saint-Pierre abbey. The commune of Preuilly-sur-Claise has several archaeological sites. The archaeological site of Picardy is an open-air site, discovered in the 1980s, located on the left bank of the Claise, on a plateau.

The castle complex at Châtillon-sur-Indre includes numerous protected elements, including the Place du Vieux-Château. The castle played an important role in the struggles between Henry II of England and Philip Augustus. Henry II had a powerful fortress built between 1160 and 1185 (of which the slightly conical keep still remains today), which can be seen from afar as one approaches the town.

This park is known for its 3,000 ponds, 267 species of birds, 100,000 pond turtles, 1,600 plant species including wild orchids and thousands of insects and animals. The Brenne Regional Natural Park attracts thousands of visitors each year in search of a calm, natural and authentic setting.

Châtillon-sur-Indre is a village of 3,000 inhabitants which dates from around the 9th century. Its rich heritage consists of a castle built in the 13th century, the César Tower, built around 1130 and the Notre-Dame church.

A fine example of one of the Loire châteaux with its parterre gardens and wilder park. The owner family, who had owned it since 1832, donated it to the city of Tours in 1951.

Hard to miss, this ancient 11th century fortress stands proudly on a hill of red sandstone and dominates the area around it. Open to visits from April to November, this castle has been completely renovated to make you feel what it was like during its history, especially during the Hundred Years War.