The 30-metre-high, square brick tower known as the Pile romaine is a striking historic landmark in Cinq-Mars-La-Pile. The Gallo-Roman monument has been listed as a Monument historique since 1840. It stands about one kilometre upstream from the town centre, at the foot of the slope; its base measures five metres on each side. Alongside this ancient structure, Saint-Médard Church, the château and the Moulin de La Gouspillère reflect other periods in the town’s history.
Church and historic buildings
Saint-MĂ©dard Parish Church dates from the 11th and 12th centuries; it was dedicated to Saint MĂ©dard in 1901. Its square bell tower has two round-arched openings on each side. Above it rises a stone octagonal spire dating from the 15th century, crowned by four corner turrets. The building brings together architectural elements from different centuries.
The Château de Cinq-Mars also brings together several building phases: two round towers date from the 12th and 13th centuries, while the fortified bridge and moats date from the 16th century. The towers and moats stand in a romantic park. The château has been closed since the end of June 2026 because of significant damage. Check whether its status has changed before visiting.
The Moulin de La Gouspillère reflects a different kind of change. It was initially a tanning and fulling mill, then became a grain mill in the early 19th century. It houses a mill driven by a turbine, dating from the first half of the 20th century, which can still be operated occasionally. Its history spans leather processing, grain milling and later milling technology.
The Terre sacrée also commemorates the First World War: one of the six memorial stones dedicated to French and Allied dead is located in Cinq-Mars-La-Pile.
Fishing, walking and the market
The pond at La Bertellerie offers five hectares of fishing. You will need a départementale or interfédérale fishing permit to fish there. The municipality maintains the car parks, access paths and surrounding area. The fishing pond is a separate option alongside the historic buildings; be sure to take the permit requirement into account when planning your visit.
La Pile en Marche organises public walks from October to June, on the first Sunday of each month. They start at 9 a.m. from the car park near the Cinq-Mars-La-Pile campsite. In December, January and February, the walk instead starts at 2 p.m. The seasonal schedule may change, so check the date before your trip.
The local producers’ market takes place on the last Friday of each month from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Place des Meuliers. The schedule and vendors may change, so it is advisable to check before travelling. The market listing includes La Cave des Figuiers, which sells organic mushrooms; Le rucher des terres chaudes is listed as a honey producer.
Getting there and planning your stay
By car, take the D952 to Cinq-Mars-La-Pile. By train, you can take the TGV to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, then continue to Cinq-Mars-La-Pile station. Check the timetables before setting off. If the market or a walk is a focus of your trip, plan your travel dates around the relevant event.
Discover more destinations: Sorigny, Loché-Sur-Indrois, La Chapelle-Blanche-Saint-Martin, Saint-Genouph, Le Louroux, Perrusson, Chenonceaux, Sainte-Maure-De-Touraine.
For the broader travel guide: Indre-Et-Loire.
