Chalais: Holiday Apartments and Houses

History and Culture

The Church of Saint-Léobon was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. As a late Romanesque church, it has a single nave and a flat-ended choir; both are covered by a barrel vault with a pointed arch. Wall paintings from various periods have been uncovered in Saint-Léobon. On 20 December 2007, the church was listed in its entirety as a historic monument.

The present-day Rocheblond manor house dates from the 15th century and stands on a rocky promontory above the Anglin River. The Rocheblond site, which overlooks the Anglin, has been documented since the 12th century. Château de la Gâtevine is said to have been founded in 1443 and was dependent on the Marquisate of Bélâbre.

Paths and Landscape

From the Rocheblond station in Chalais, the European d'Artagnan Route can be travelled on horseback, by carriage or by bicycle; places are limited. The European d'Artagnan Route is certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

The circular route “L'Anglin, from rocks to rock” offers varied terrain and diverse landscape impressions. At the same time, it leads towards the Luzeraise Forest.

Nature

The municipality of Chalais is part of the continental ZNIEFF type 2 area “Upper Anglin and Portefeuille catchment basin”. Part of this area is included in the “vallée de l'Anglin” Natura 2000 site.

Cuisine

La Barre offers year-round winery tours by prior arrangement. Wine tastings are also available: tasting is free when wine is purchased; otherwise, it costs 5 euros. La Barre produces a natural red wine using traditional methods and without chemical additives.

During a visit to Ferme de Laleuf, visitors can learn about the world of beekeeping. At Ferme de Laleuf, almost 80 stationary bee colonies live on 30 hectares consisting of meadows, flowering hedgerows and woodland; there is no migratory beekeeping there.

The Marché de Chalais offers cold cuts and pork, beef, goat's cheese, honey, gingerbread, beer, as well as local wines from Valençay and Reuilly. The market gives visitors the opportunity to buy agricultural products directly from producers, taste products and prepared dishes, and enjoy an evening at tables near the church.

Other local pages in the same area: Buzançais, Crozon-sur-Vauvre, Levroux, Lurais, Chassignolles, Le Poinçonnet, Mézières-en-Brenne, Faverolles.

For the higher-level travel overview: Indre.