La Chapelle-Sur-Loire stretches for nearly 11 kilometres along the Loire, a UNESCO-listed river. River navigation, historic port facilities, a signposted walking trail and a protected natural area give a stay here a variety of possible focuses. You can tailor your trip to whether you mainly want to explore local history, consider a boat trip or plan some time outdoors.
Discover river navigation and the Loire
The Maison des Bateliers, formerly the Maison Loire et Nature, is a meeting place at 5 rue de Tours, 37140 La Chapelle-sur-Loire. It hosts exhibitions and activities about river navigation. Visitors can also find information about local wildlife, flora and history, and book various excursions and services there. The programme and opening hours may change, so check which activities are planned for your visit before you go.
Private boat trips aboard the Toue “Brise Chapelonne II” can be arranged to explore the Loire landscape in the surrounding area. Availability and booking requirements may change, so confirm the date and booking arrangements with the provider in advance.
Church and port facilities
The parish church of the Translation of Saint Martin was rebuilt in 1519–1520 after its predecessor was destroyed by a Loire flood in 1450. The Port dit port de la Chapelle is a so-called levee port in the town centre on the right bank, downstream from the church. Its structural features include a sloping quay wall and a simple watering trough.
At Port Genièvre, a ramp provides access to the sloping quay wall. It is about 6 metres wide and 100 metres long. Together with the levee port and the church, this structure offers another tangible point of interest if you are curious about the town’s port and riverbank history.
Walking, nature and cycling route
The signposted Sentier d’interprétation is a walk of about 1 to 1.5 hours. It is accessible to people with reduced mobility, bicycles and pushchairs, except for the area around the church. As accessibility information should be confirmed locally before your trip, check this restriction before visiting, especially if it is important for your plans.
The Bois Chétif–Marc Jacquet area, protected as an Espace Naturel Sensible (ENS), includes departmental plots in Huismes, La Chapelle-sur-Loire and Avoine. The 2025 departmental regulations provide for year-round access to the area and its facilities for all visitor groups. Temporary restrictions may nevertheless apply for safety, ecological or maintenance reasons. Before visiting, also check the current boundaries and rules for the area.
For a cycling trip, there is the 49-kilometre “Au gré de la Loire – Boucle n° 22” loop. Its highlights in La Chapelle-sur-Loire include the port and Saint-Martin Church. The planning information is therefore clearly different: an approximate duration is given for the Sentier, while the total distance is given for the cycling loop. Route conditions may change, so check the latest information before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Vicq-Sur-Nahon, Menetou-Sur-Nahon, Chassignolles, Chalais, Douadic, Dunet, Vigoulant, Pouligny-Notre-Dame.
For the broader travel overview: Indre.
