A 4-hectare pond, two 14 km trails and distinctive details in its churches reveal different sides of Lunay. You can plan your stay around outdoor activities or architectural and art history. To plan, it helps to distinguish the hiking trail from the cycling route and to take the conditions for individual visits into account.
Pond, Landscape and Fishing
The “Henri LHUILLIER” leisure centre features a 4-hectare pond in a landscape of hillsides and valleys. An Atlas cedar, planted around 1840, stands among old trees on the grounds. Fishing is also available: there are three fishing spots accessible to people with disabilities and easy for children to reach. If these spots are important to your plans, check the local conditions before you arrive.
Distinguishing the Hiking Trail from the Cycling Route
The names are similar, but the activities differ. The 14 km “Circuit des Vallées” hiking trail starts in Lunay and passes through a landscape of panoramic views, hillsides overlooking the valleys and wooded valleys. The “Circuit des vallées” cycling route also starts in Lunay and is likewise 14 km long. Both routes therefore share a starting point and length; your choice depends on whether you want to hike or cycle. If you’re planning the hike, also take trail conditions into account.
Church Art and Architecture
At the Église Saint-Martin de Lunay, architectural history and visual art stand side by side. The lower level of the bell tower probably dates from the 12th century; a painting of the Last Supper, painted in the 19th century, covers the entire choir vault. There is also a richly decorated west portal. The dates refer to different features: the estimated date applies to the tower level, while the 19th century refers to the painting.
Another art-historical detail is the altarpiece in the cemetery chapel. It has pilasters with Renaissance capitals and a sculpted frieze on the entablature. Pilasters are flat, pillar-like wall features; capitals form their upper ends. This helps identify the described ornaments as individual parts of the altarpiece. The entablature forms the horizontal upper section; a frieze is a long decorative band that may be sculpted in relief, as it is on the altarpiece.
Planning Visits
At Château de la Mézière, you can visit the grounds independently; guided visits are offered exclusively to groups. Check the visiting arrangements before you arrive. There are also numerous wine and mushroom cellars in the village of Lunay that can be visited. Check access to the individual cellar before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Maslives, Villavard, Couffy, Meusnes, Champigny-En-Beauce, Villexanton, Thenay, Mur-De-Sologne
For the wider travel overview: Loir-Et-Cher.
