A 25-metre-high keep, a polygonal burial chamber and a shady pond show how varied Paulmy’s attractions are. There is also a tourist trail for discovering the area’s heritage and a designated hiking route. You can tailor your stay to historic buildings, nature or exercise; picnicking is also part of the scene at the plan d’eau.
A circular trail between heritage and nature
The Circuit Touristique de Paulmy was inaugurated on 6 May 2023 as a tourist trail for discovering the area’s heritage. Several centuries-old oak trees line the circuit. Visitors can also discover some of the 40 orchid species recorded and protected there. Please observe the plants without picking them. The oaks and orchids add a natural dimension to this heritage-focused trail, bringing together two distinct interests: heritage and observing nature.
Château, tower and megalith
Château du Châtelier was built in the 12th and 13th centuries in a former border zone between the English kings’ Aquitanian domain and the Kingdom of France. Its keep is a 25-metre-high cylindrical tower with a projecting beak. The combination of the round tower and its protruding feature precisely defines its silhouette. The château stands on a limestone outcrop and is surrounded by moats. The rock, water and shape of the tower highlight different aspects of the building.
The Dolmen de la Pierre Chaude is a sandstone megalith with a polygonal burial chamber. Polygonal means that the chamber has several sides; alongside its material, its shape offers a concrete way to appreciate this structure. In Paulmy, the Brignon leads to the old washhouse. This landmark broadens the picture beyond château and megalithic architecture.
The grounds of Château de Paulmy offer another distinctive historic feature: the central section was laid out as a landscape garden around 1860. This adds designed parkland to the themes of châteaux and dolmens.
Hiking and enjoying the plan d’eau
For hikers, L'escapade du Châtelier is a separate option: the route in Paulmy is 22 kilometres long and rated moderate. It starts and ends on Rue du Stade; the route’s car park is at the stadium. The combination of distance and difficulty rating gives you a clear basis for deciding whether the hike suits your plans. Which route matches your interests? The Circuit focuses on heritage, while L'escapade du Châtelier offers a 22-kilometre hike of moderate difficulty.
The shady plan d’eau is in the heart of the village and is used for picnics. It is also used for fishing competitions. This gives the pond a different focus from the hiking route, châteaux and dolmens: picnics and fishing competitions are also part of what Paulmy has to offer.
Discover more destinations: Rouziers-de-Touraine, Thilouze, Bridoré, Azay-sur-Indre, Sainte-Maure-De-Touraine, Jaulnay, Véretz, Saint-Pierre-Des-Corps.
For the broader travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
