Candes-Saint-Martin: Holiday Apartments and Houses

Candes-Saint-Martin lies at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire, combining river landscapes, historic buildings and paths along the water. Its special location is also revealed by the panorama: the freely accessible picnic area at the top of the tuffeau slope offers a sweeping view of the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire.

Landscape and Rivers

Candes-Saint-Martin and Montsoreau form an almost continuous built-up frontage. It stretches up the limestone slope from the Loire and the ports to the cultivated plateau. The Confluence de la Loire et de la Vienne site was classified as a protected landscape site by decree of 17 September 2021 and also includes Candes-Saint-Martin.

At the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire, Candes-Saint-Martin has a former fishing and inland navigation port. The “météo des oiseaux” is also available at the Castors candais in Candes-Saint-Martin.

Paths Along the Water

The signposted Boucle vélo n°43 “Entre Anjou et Touraine” cycling loop is 17 km long, takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and passes through Candes-Saint-Martin. The “When there were sailors on the Loire” discovery trail leads from Montsoreau to Candes-Saint-Martin and presents the history of the Loire barge workers.

The discovery booklet for this trail is available at the Maison du Parc for €1  and can be downloaded free of charge from the regional park’s website. The regional park’s canoeing information covers the La Chapelle-sur-Loire–Candes-Saint-Martin route under the title “La marine de Loire”.

History and Architectural Heritage

The Ancien château des Archevêques de Tours was a former fortified summer residence of the archbishops of Tours. Construction began in 1485 and was completed in 1520 and 1527. The Moulin-cavier du Puits Saint-Michel is protected in its entirety as a historic monument; it was registered on 2 February 1993.

The Ancienne maison canoniale has 12th-century façades with semicircular-arched arcades and is partially protected as a historic monument. The Collégiale Saint-Martin was built in the 12th and 13th centuries on the site where Saint Martin died in 397.

Outdoor Art

The Street Art Parc is a 5-hectare park with mature trees above the Loire and comprises 60 monumental artworks. In Candes-Saint-Martin, it combines contemporary art, nature, cultural heritage and urban planning. At the same time, the Street Art Parc is an artistic stop along the La Loire à Vélo route.

Other Places in Indre-et-Loire

You can find other places in Indre-et-Loire here: Abilly, Saint-Étienne-De-Chigny, Sonzay, Sorigny, Villaines-Les-Rochers, Azay-sur-Indre, Bourgueil, Gizeux.

To the main travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.