Civray-De-Touraine stretches along both banks of the Cher. Its cultural history spans medieval buildings and a château dating from the 18th century, while wine, canoeing and cycling offer other points of interest. This gives you different ways to plan your stay, rather than associating the commune with just one theme.
Church and fortress: comparing architectural history
Several construction phases are represented in Église Saint-Germain: the nave and transept date from the 11th century, while the choir dates from the 13th century. These three parts were classified as historic monuments by decree on 19 June 1946. Another layer of history came to light during work on the façade and bell tower, built in 1861: the flooring of a Merovingian baptistery was rediscovered.
Significant remains of a 12th-century fortress have been preserved at Château de Mesvres. They include thick walls in opus spicatum, a herringbone-style masonry technique. The square keep also reveals different construction phases: its base dates from the 13th century and the upper section from the 15th century. Together, the church and fortress offer different clues for tracing the commune’s architectural history across several centuries.
Château park and winegrowing tradition
Château de Civray-de-Touraine was built in 1715 by Louis Lhomme de la Pinsonnière and later remodelled during the Restoration. The four-hectare estate includes a landscaped park with centuries-old trees, colourful flower beds and a pond with a fountain. The park’s appearance may change over time. By appointment, the château offers groups guided tours of the ground floor and grounds. Arrange a time before your visit.
Caves du Père Auguste combines the history of winemaking with a guided tasting. Visits can be self-guided or, subject to availability, guided. Afterwards, white, rosé and red wines, as well as sparkling wines, are introduced; grape juice is offered for children. As tour arrangements and availability may change, it is advisable to check in advance.
The history of the wine estate also includes an ancestor of Père Auguste’s family: he settled here 150 years ago and began extracting tuffeau beneath the hill planted with the family’s vines. The vineyard covers 40 hectares on the slopes between Civray-de-Touraine and Chenonceaux; its area may change over time.
Canoeing and cycling as active alternatives
Canoë Company’s main base is in Civray-de-Touraine on the Cher, and it offers several canoe routes in Canadian-style canoes. One route passes beneath Château de Chenonceau. Routes and availability may vary by season, so it is a good idea to check the specific route in advance. Another option is a three- to six-day nature raid with bivouacs, combining canoeing and cycling. Programmes and opening hours may change.
Touraine à Vélo rents fully equipped trekking bikes, tandems, electric bikes, children’s bikes and bike trailers in Civray-de-Touraine. The range and service periods may change; if you need a particular type of bike, check its availability in advance. Touraine à Vélo is also listed as a professional bike rental provider under the labels La Loire à Vélo and Accueil Vélo. As this status may change, check the listing if it is important to your plans.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Civray-De-Touraine, first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: architectural history, wine and tastings, or active days of canoeing and cycling. These differences give your search a clear starting point; you can check the relevant conditions in advance for visits, rentals and tours.
Discover more destinations:
Bléré, Saint-Genouph, Larçay, Céré-La-Ronde, Neuillé-Le-Lierre, Bridoré, Montrésor, Vernou-Sur-Brenne
For the broader travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
