Descartes: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Musée Descartes is housed in René Descartes’ partially 16th-century birthplace. Since 17 September 2003, it has carried the French designation “Musée de France” under French heritage protection law and presents the philosopher’s life and work, as well as a historical and cultural overview of the Renaissance and the 17th century. The Espace Muséal comprises three museums in three purpose-built buildings, dedicated to three exceptional figures born in the municipality. It also includes a Micro-Folie, a digital museum that presents thousands of artworks from national and international collections on tablets.

Renting a holiday apartment in Descartes is an independent decision within the travel planning process.

Culture and History

The former Notre-Dame de la Haye church is classified as a historic monument. It was founded in 1104 as the chapel of La Haye Castle; remnants of Romanesque wall paintings have been preserved in the former church.

The Saint-Georges church is the oldest church in Descartes and was built in the 12th century. The Grenier à Sel was built in the 17th century on the former arms square of Descartes. The Descartes paper mill was founded in August 1857 and produced various types of paper, including printing paper, particularly thin papers and paper for administrative use.

Walks and Trails

La Cartésienne is a walking tour on which visitors can discover Descartes. Along the route, information panels and reading tables explain Descartes’ sights. The Sentier de bourg is a self-guided circular walk with information panels for exploring Descartes’ heritage.

The Voie Verte du Sud Touraine begins in Descartes and ends in Tournon-Saint-Pierre. It is a 42-kilometre route for cycling, walking and mountain biking. The circular trail in the Bois de la Roche Bellin is 8 kilometres long.

Water and Nature

The Descartes aquatic centre comprises six pools, including a 25-metre pool, as well as a lazy river, a slide and an outdoor hot tub. The Club canoë-kayak de Descartes offers canoe hire for two hours, half a day or a full day and organises transport to the starting point.

The Jardin René Boylesve is a public garden of approximately 15,000 m² in the former grounds of a château. It is home to rare or exotic trees, including a sequoia, ginkgo and persimmon tree, planted in the 19th century. The Jardin René Boylesve also includes a small animal park.

Everyday Life and Getting Around

A weekly market is held every Sunday morning on the site of Descartes’ former fairground. Descartes’ Bureau d’Information Touristique is located in a former railway station building.

Other destinations: Le Louroux, Perrusson, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Indrois, Candes-Saint-Martin, Ballan-Miré, Dame-Marie-Les-Bois, Saint-Germain-Sur-Vienne, Tavant

For the higher-level travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.