Berthenay offers opportunities for a trip that combines sacred art, architectural history, and cycling routes. For travel by train, the location of Savonnières station is also relevant.
Sacred Art and Architectural History
Saint Martin Church contains a stained-glass window dating from 1878. It was made by Armand Clément, a student of Lobin, and depicts the charity of Saint Martin. There are also two small statues showing Martin as a bishop and as a soldier. The window and statues offer different points of focus: one work depicts an action, while the figures show the saint in two roles.
The chapel of La Baillardière also has a distinctive design feature: its ceiling consists of 174 painted wooden panels, each with different motifs. The Manoir de la Baillardière is partially listed as a historic monument. The protection covers the chapel ceiling and a 17th-century staircase. The chapel can therefore be understood both through the variety of its painted panels and through the specific protected elements.
The History of the Grange aux Moines
The Grange aux Moines has been dated to 1299 and is entirely listed as a historic monument; the listing took effect on 18 April 2003. Its historical function was linked to supplying Saint-Martin de Tours Abbey: goods for the abbey were transported by boat to Tours from the ports of Berthenay and Portoville. These details describe a specific sequence of storage, port, and onward transport.
The building stands on an artificial mound that protected it from the waters of the Loire or the Cher. The elevated site and the recorded goods routes offer two different insights into the history of the place: how people dealt with river water and how the abbey was supplied. There is an important restriction to bear in mind when planning a visit: since the European Heritage Days in September 2022, the Grange aux Moines has been closed to visitors until a safety program is completed. Check the latest status before planning a visit.
Cycling Routes and Paths
The 14-kilometer Loire à Vélo loop passes through Berthenay and offers views of the Loire and the Cher. Another route is called “Confluence Loire et Cher – Boucle vélo n°14”: it is 13 kilometers long and takes approximately one hour. These details provide different planning information: the first route’s distance is given, while the second also has an approximate duration. The 13-kilometer route is signposted with green-and-white markers and the number 14.
Walking trails are part of a wider geographical context. Three walking routes dedicated to Saint Martin have been created in Touraine. They are intended to enable walkers and tourists to discover the religious heritage associated with Martin, his history, and his legends. These routes are described as an offering in Touraine; this does not mean that all three pass through Berthenay.
Getting There by Train
Savonnières SNCF station is 2.4 kilometers from the center of Berthenay and is on the Tours–Saumur–Angers–Nantes railway line. The distance is a specific reference point for planning your journey, but it does not provide information about train schedules or how long it takes to reach the town center. Check current services before traveling by train, as schedules may change.
There are several options to focus on when planning your trip: sacred imagery and historic buildings, the river and supply history of the Grange aux Moines, or a cycling route with clearly stated distances. If you are looking for accommodation, consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your time in Berthenay.
Discover more destinations: Mettray, Crouzilles, Saint-Étienne-De-Chigny, Gizeux, Ciran, Céré-La-Ronde, Chenonceaux, Richelieu.
For an overview of the wider area: Indre-Et-Loire.
