Lake and priory of Le Louroux

This lake was created by monks in the IXth and Xth centuries to supply them with fish. Its 57 hectares make it one of the largest wetland areas in the Indre-et-Loire area. This has favoured the protection of plants and animals in an important nature reserve. The village includes a beautiful XVth century priory with moats, a manor, a former abbey farm and a XIIIth century church.
Outdoor visits.

37240 Le Louroux
Maison de Pays - Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 87 19
Town Hall
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 82 07 / Fax : 00 33 2 47 92 22 91

Ligueil

The name "Ligueil" appears for the first time around 775, under the title "Lugoggalus" now read as "Ligolium". A witness to the past, Saint-Martin's Church was founded in the XIIth century, but there are no remains of this building. Imposing buildings of the XIVth and XVth centuries, the Seigneurie became the Town Hall in 1921. A little further away, marking the border between Ligueil and the countryside, you can admire the beautiful former chancellor's residence built in the XVIth century.

37240 Ligueil
Tourist Office - Town Hall
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 60 44
E-mail : ligueil@wanadoo.fr
http://ligueil.free.fr

La Chapelle Blanche
The Church : Listed as a building of historical importance, the church is representative of two different architectural periods, with its 10th century nave and 14th century chancel. The Devil and Saint-Martin are depicted is one of its windows, and the village used to have particular devotion to the saint. In fact, Saint-Martin's Fountain was a place of pilgrimage throughout the first half of the last century.
Town Hall - 37240 La Chapelle Blanche Saint-Martin
Tel : 00 33 2 47 59 62 13
E-mail : mairie37057@tele2.fr

Grillemont Castle : In the XVth century there was a powerful stronghold at Grillemont, but the present chateau is a classical XVIIIth century building.
Open daily to the public from July 1st to August 15th, from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. Group visits are by appointment.

Draché
La Pierre Percée
This unusual monolith, measuring four by one and a half metre, has a hole cut through its centre. According to tradition, young people would mark their engagement by exchanging bunches of flowers through the hole. It is also said that Gargantua, as a child, played quoits with the standing stones of the region, but never managed to hit the one at Draché.

Town Hall - 37800 Draché
Tel : 00 33 2 47 65 02 13
E-mail : mairie.drache@wanadoo.fr

The “Soldier's House”
Sometime after 1918, another storey was added to this low building, known locally as "La Maison du Poilu". The bust of a French soldier was carved on the front of the house between two first floor windows. The carved lintel above the door depicts a church spire, a forest, a house and an animal form. The origin of these carvings remains a mystery to this day.

Town Hall - 37290 Bossée
Tel : 00 33 2 47 92 81 22
E-mail : mairie.bossee@wanadoo.fr

Manthelan

The Carnival, a century-old celebration
In 1869 the famous Manthelan carnival was started by two enthusiasts : a local fiddler, Augustin Branger, known as Pipelet, and a painter, Theodore Fontaine, whose nickname was Cocodache. In 1888 the enterprising pair opened a café decorated with splendid murals showing landscapes, and scenes from country life. Unfortunately, it is now closed to the public.
Nevertheless, Manthelan's Carnival has become a regular annual event, except in very difficult circumstances, and the whole village turns out in celebration every year.

Town Hall - 37240 Manthelan
Tel : 00 33 2 47 91 23 00
E-mail : mairie-manthelan@wanadoo.fr