Fondettes: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Val de Choisille nature area is located within the territories of Fondettes, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire and La Membrolle-sur-Choisille. Designated as a Sensitive Natural Area, it encompasses the Choisille and its canals, wetlands, wet meadows, wooded areas and steep slopes above the valley; a wide variety of animal and plant species live there.

Renting a holiday apartment in Fondettes can be part of your personal travel planning.

Nature

The Val de Choisille nature area includes two circular trails, including a 10.4 km main trail along the river, slopes and forests. The walking trails in the town of Fondettes are marked in green and homologated by the CTRP under number 104.

The Naurod-Wiesbaden botanical garden provides 2,600 m² of space for relaxation, discovery and walks. Its facilities include a scented garden, a rose garden, a playground and small animals. The Arboretum de la Perrée is a botanical reserve where flora and fauna take centre stage.

The park of the Château de la Plaine overlooks the Choisille River to the east.

Culture and History

The Château de Chatigny dates from the 15th century and was built on the site of a 3rd-century Gallo-Roman settlement; the remains of a villa discovered there can be found in its park.

The Lavaray Priory was founded in the 12th century by Marmoutier Abbey; its 13th-century barn and the priory tower were classified as historic monuments in 1965.

The Grange des Dîmes belonged to the fief of Vallières Abbey, was built around 1485 and raised around 1550 to support a roof with a steeper pitch. Today, it hosts numerous concerts, performances and exhibitions, including the Fondettes Artists’ Salon and the Spring of Arts at the Grange des Dîmes.

The portal of Fondettes church features a stone bas-relief depicting a 16th-century boat.

Chapel and Religious Tradition

A first sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary was probably built in the 13th century after a statue was discovered in a tree stump. It was probably destroyed during the Wars of Religion; the chapel was rebuilt in Vallières in 1608.

Every year on the first Sunday in September, a large mass in honour of the Virgin Mary is celebrated in the chapel in Vallières.

Visits

In July, August and September, tours of the château grounds, outbuildings, Gallo-Roman ruins and park are offered at the Château de Chatigny: Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Guided tours are offered at the Prieuré de Lavaray in summer and during the European Heritage Days.

More local pages: Chargé, Lignières-de-Touraine, Abilly, Bridoré, Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois, Crissay-Sur-Manse, Cravant-Les-Côteaux, La Celle-Guenand

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