Discover Bourgueil: Abbey, Wine and Markets

The history of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Bourgueil began in 990, when Emma, Duchess of Guyenne and Countess of Poitou, founded it.

Culture

Parts of the abbey are listed as a Monument historique, while other parts are classified; the protection applies only to certain sections. For visits, the monastic section of Bourgueil Abbey and its Museum of Art and Folk Traditions are open to the public.

The town's religious architecture also includes the Church of Saint-Germain de Bourgueil. It is regarded as a major work of regional Gothic architecture dating from the 12th to the 15th century.

Another form of cultural outreach can be found in the Jean Chamboissier Municipal Library, which houses the Micro-Folie de Bourgueil, featuring a digital museum and a virtual reality area.

The digital museum presents high-resolution digitised works from national institutions and partner institutions.

Bourgueil therefore brings together different forms of culture: the history of the Benedictine abbey, the Gothic Church of Saint-Germain and the digital presentation at Micro-Folie. The selection of attractions is thus shaped not only by their period, but also by the way they are presented – from historic buildings to virtual reality.

Wine and Markets

The Maison des Vins de Bourgueil is located in the centre of Bourgueil, in the family home of Jean Carmet, built in the 15th century.

All year round, the Maison des Vins offers wine tastings and presents around 180 cuvées from 93 wine estates in the appellation.

The markets also give the town a regular calendar of events. Bourgueil's weekly Tuesday market retains its original layout in the town centre beneath the market halls, as well as in the adjoining streets and neighbouring squares.

The Saturday market focuses mainly on food and was established in the 1970s at the initiative of local producers.

Another seasonal event is the Bourgueil Garlic Fair, held on the third Tuesday in July.

The Bourgueil section of the “Chemins du patrimoine” cultural trail also begins at the market halls.

The market days therefore differ in rhythm and focus: Tuesday preserves a long-established layout, Saturday focuses mainly on food, and the Garlic Fair adds a set date in July to the calendar. The Maison des Vins, by contrast, offers the opportunity to taste wine all year round, with a wide selection of cuvées.

When planning your own trip, Bourgueil's historic sightseeing, digital culture, wine, food markets, cultural trail and the abbey's green spaces can be considered as separate focal points. A holiday apartment in Bourgueil provides the accommodation framework; travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions remain the key comparison points on the respective offer pages.

Other places

Azay-sur-Indre, Lignières-de-Touraine, La Tour-Saint-Gelin, Bridoré, La Celle-Guenand, Joué-Lés-Tours, Saint-Avertin, Pouzay

Landscape

The abbey has 5 hectares of green spaces, including various gardens and a promenade along a flowing watercourse, the Changeon.

In the northern area, dense mixed forests clearly border the cultivated land.

The landscape thus combines two clearly distinguishable scenes: on the abbey grounds, gardens and the promenade along the Changeon follow a carefully designed layout, while in the north, dense mixed forests directly border cultivated land. This contrast is also one of Bourgueil's defining features.

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