Souvigné: Church, Lime Kilns and Wet Heathland

Souvigné feels like a small book of very different chapters – from religious art and industrial history to nature observation.

Culture and History

The Église Saint-Michel was first built in the 9th century, partially rebuilt in the 15th century and extended in the mid-16th century.

Its furnishings include a stained-glass window probably dating from the 14th century, depicting Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara; four other stained-glass windows date from the 16th century.

The Imbertière industrial site in Souvigné is home to three lime kilns, built in 1855, 1864 and 1866.

The first and third lime kilns remained in operation until the 1930s. The first was put back into operation in 1941 during the war and finally shut down in 1943.

One lime kiln was built in 1890 by Furcy Besnard-Cherigné, a brick and lime burner, on his own land near a brickworks that had been operating since 1857. The lime kiln has survived; its firing chamber is intact, although its base is filled with earth.

Several of these loges can still be found in Saint Jacques in Souvigné.

The dates and states of preservation give the historic sites different rhythms. When planning your own visit, you can focus on religious building phases, industrial development or individual surviving remains.

The historic site of Abbaye de la Clarté-Dieu is located in the vicinity of Souvigné.

In the wider region around Souvigné are Château de Luynes, Chateau Du Plessis, the historic site of Abbaye de Bonlieu (Sarthe) and Parc Honoré-de-Balzac.

The distinction between the surrounding area and the wider region can be used as a simple spatial structure for your own planning.

Nature

The wet heathland area in Souvigné is one of the few remaining areas with low-growing wet heathland habitats. Characteristic heath species grow there, along with several specimens of marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe).

Among the species that breed in or near the wet heathland area are sand lizards, Sardinian warblers, European nightjars and bullfinches.

The species names and habitat description draw attention to a natural-history perspective; the historical passages provide a clear thematic contrast.

Getting Around

There is a motorhome parking area along the Fare on Rue de la Mairie.

It offers quiet, shaded parking spaces, but has neither a disposal station nor a power connection.

The parking area is a separate practical aspect alongside Souvigné’s cultural and natural attractions.

When comparing holiday apartments in Souvigné, you can place travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side on the listing pages and compare these details with your preferred focus on culture, industrial history or nature observation.

Other places for regional orientation include Nouans-Les-Fontaines, Semblançay, Langeais, Chaveignes, Saint-Laurent-De-Lin, Yzeures-Sur-Creuse, Avrillé-les-Ponceaux and Bossay-Sur-Claise.

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