In the Val de Choisille, trails wind through a landscape of river, slopes and woods; Fondettes’ historic sites tell stories spanning the Gallo-Roman period to medieval buildings. This offers different options for planning your visit: a nature walk or a look at history and seasonal cultural events.
Trails and Nature Along the Choisille
The Val de Choisille natural area, designated an Espace Naturel Sensible (sensitive natural area), lies within the territories of Fondettes, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire and La Membrolle-sur-Choisille. It includes the Choisille and its channels, wetlands and wet meadows, wooded areas, and steep slopes above the valley. This mosaic of different habitats is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species.
There are two circular trails in the natural area. The main trail is 10.4 kilometres long and runs along the river, over the slopes and through woods. Allow enough time in your day for this route and check trail conditions before your trip. Fondettes’ walking trails are marked in green and homologated by the CTRP under number 104. If you are planning a specific hike, confirm the markings and homologation locally.
The Arboretum de la Perrée offers a different focus: this botanical reserve showcases flora and fauna. The grounds of the Château de la Plaine overlook the Choisille River to the east. These two places complement the natural area with distinct points of interest, but do not form a single route.
Historical Traces from Different Eras
The Château de Chatigny dates from the 15th century and was built on a 3rd-century Gallo-Roman settlement site. Remains of a villa discovered there can be found in the park. The site thus brings together the history of the château and a much older settlement history.
The Prieuré de Lavaray was founded by Marmoutier Abbey in the 12th century. Its barn dates from the 13th century; the barn and the priory tower were listed as historic monuments in 1965. The Grange des Dîmes belonged to the fief of Vallières Abbey and was built around 1485. It was raised around 1550 to support a roof with a steeper pitch.
A 16th-century stone bas-relief depicting a boat is located at the portal of Fondettes Church. Another historical story concerns a Marian shrine: it was probably built in the 13th century after a statue was discovered in a tree stump. The chapel was likely destroyed during the Wars of Religion and rebuilt in Vallières in 1608.
A large Mass in honour of the Virgin Mary is celebrated each year at the chapel in Vallières on the first Sunday in September. The date and arrangements may change; check the details before your trip. The timeline helps distinguish the different aspects of the heritage: Gallo-Roman traces, medieval foundations and later alterations to buildings each belong to a different chapter.
Tours and Cultural Events
Tours of the château grounds, outbuildings, Gallo-Roman ruins and park at the Château de Chatigny are listed for July, August and September. The listed hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, and Sunday, 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Before your visit, check whether this seasonal schedule applies to your travel dates.
Guided tours of the Prieuré de Lavaray are listed for summer and during the European Heritage Days. Check in advance whether a tour falls within your travel dates. This helps distinguish a planned visit from the historical facts about the priory’s foundation and construction: its history is not tied to a particular tour date.
The Grange des Dîmes hosts concerts, performances and exhibitions. Examples include the Salon des artistes fondettois and the Printemps des arts de la grange des Dîmes. Individual programmes may change; check the dates for a specific event. Nature trails, architectural history and cultural events offer different ways to plan a stay, depending on whether you want to set aside time for a hike or schedule your trip around a particular event.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Règle, Mosnes, Marigny-Marmande, Nouans-Les-Fontaines, Marcilly-Sur-Vienne, Epeigné-Les-Bois, Rochecorbon, La Ville-Aux-Dames.
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