The Voie Verte runs through the green valley of the Claise to Tournon-Saint-Pierre, making it a clear focus for walkers and cyclists. The architectural history of the Église Saint-Pierre and fishing at the Étang de la Balastière add two other interests. You can plan your stay around whether exercise, architectural history or fishing is your main priority.

Voie Verte: 42 kilometres along a former railway line

The Voie Verte is 42 kilometres long and open to the public along its entire length. At the same time, it is reserved exclusively for cyclists and walkers. As access rules can change, check the current permitted use before setting out. This gives you a clear picture of both the route’s length and its intended users.

The route follows a converted former railway line. It passes through eight municipalities: Descartes, Abilly, Le Grand-Pressigny, Chaumussay, Boussay, Preuilly-sur-Claise, Bossay-sur-Claise and Tournon-Saint-Pierre. Tournon-Saint-Pierre is therefore part of the route and is also its stated endpoint. Together, the total length and list of municipalities show the Voie Verte’s regional scale.

When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the full route from a stay in Tournon-Saint-Pierre: the town is a destination on the Voie Verte, not the entire route. If walking or cycling is your main focus, the route is an attraction in its own right; the 42 kilometres refer to the route as a whole.

The Église Saint-Pierre and its architectural history

The Église Saint-Pierre can be dated by its construction phases. The Benedictines of Preuilly built it in the 11th century. Its façade dates from the 13th century, and the choir from the 14th century. These dates refer to different parts: the 11th century marks the construction, while the two later centuries date the façade and choir. For those interested in architecture, this gives a sequence rather than a blanket date for the entire church. It also makes clear who built the early church and which later-dated parts belong to its architectural history.

Fishing at the Étang de la Balastière

The Étang de la Balastière is an enclosed body of water covering 3 ha in Tournon-Saint-Pierre. It is open for fishing year-round to people with a departmental fishing licence. This licence is a requirement; also check the current regulations before your fishing trip, as the rules can change. Recommended methods include float fishing, carp fishing, predator fishing and fly fishing. The recommendations name several specific techniques, while the licence and current rules determine the conditions for fishing.

The activities also differ in what you need to prepare: the Voie Verte is for cyclists and walkers, while a departmental fishing licence is required at the pond. Choosing between these activities lets you take the relevant requirements into account from the outset.

Discover more destinations: Rivière, Saint-Laurent-De-Lin, Dierre, Louestault, Neuillé-Le-Lierre, Rillé, Ballan-Miré, Saint-Martin-Le-Beau.

For the wider travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.