When planning a stay in Noyant-de-Touraine, you can focus on local history, architecture, or a hike through the countryside. Château de Brou, the Church of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais, and the Noyant-de-Touraine hike offer different points of interest. The station and the hike’s starting point are also clearly identified: this helps you consider your arrival and the excursion you want to take separately when choosing accommodation.
Arrival and Getting Your Bearings
Sainte-Maure - Noyant station is located at Place de la Gare, 37800 Noyant-de-Touraine. The Étangs de Fosson are a separate landmark for the hike: this is where the circular route begins. The ponds are halfway between the town center and the station; from there, it is 2 km to the station. This lets you distinguish between the station address and the hike’s starting point when planning, without confusing the two.
Architectural and Local History
Two historical phases should be distinguished at Château de Brou. The knight François de Gebert, Seigneur de Noyant du Rivau, is considered a possible builder; this attribution is presented as more likely than the alternative legend. Later, between 1866 and 1868, the Marquis de Moges ordered renovations to the château. The first detail therefore concerns its presumed origins, while the second refers to renovations carried out within a specific period.
Several dates can also be distinguished at the Church of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais: it was built in 1874, its bell tower was erected in 1890, and the church was renovated in 2013. This sequence shows that the construction of the church building, the erection of the tower, and the later renovation were separate stages in its history. Alongside the history of the château, those interested in the town’s development will find another concrete example of its architectural history here.
A Merovingian sarcophagus dating from the 7th century is displayed in front of the town hall; it was discovered in 1962. If this particular exhibit is important to your visit, we recommend confirming its current display status locally in advance. Another historical connection concerns the Allée de Brou: Countess Ida de l’Aigle used it to travel from Château de Brou to the church. The Allée is on today’s Noyant-de-Touraine hike, linking a historic route with the circular trail.
Another trace of everyday life is the Loge de vigne at 8 Rue des Loges. This structure dates from the late 19th century and served as accommodation for workers. The château, church, and Loge de vigne therefore represent different themes: an attributed origin and later renovation, the building phases of a church, and the former use of a small structure as workers’ accommodation.
A Hike Through Valleys and Fields
The Noyant-de-Touraine hike begins in the commune at the Étangs de Fosson. Its route passes through woods and farmland and along the Manse Valley with its mills. At Carroi aux Moines, a section of the route offers a view over the Vienne Valley and Pouzay. These are different landmarks along the hike: the Manse Valley describes part of the route, while Carroi aux Moines, with its view over the Vienne Valley and Pouzay, identifies a specific viewpoint.
When planning your stay, you can therefore decide whether to focus primarily on individual historic buildings and their different stories, or to set aside time for the hike. The information about the circular route identifies its landscape, starting point, and viewpoint, but does not specify a walking time. Choose accommodation to suit the focus you want for your stay, and check the details about the exhibit in advance if the sarcophagus is a must-see for you.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Benoît-La-Forêt, Chédigny, Seuilly, Panzoult, Candes-Saint-Martin, Theneuil, Limeray, Beaumont-En-Véron.
For the broader travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
