The best walks and hikes around Souvigné

In Touraine, in the heart of a wooded estate, the Château de Champchevrier is both royal and family-friendly. Family-friendly because it has been inhabited by the same family since 1728. Royal because Kings Louis Louis XIII stayed at the castle on several occasions, his doctor Jean Hérouard recounts it in his memoirs. Rebuilt during the Renaissance then embellished in the 18th century, Champchevrier is both a Historic Monument and a family castle in which each generation has passed on the love and respect for heritage. The history of the castle begins in the 11th century when a first building was built by Hugues de Champchevrier. The owners then succeeded one another on these lands: the Maillé family, the Lavals, the Bastarnays then in 1550, the Daillons who were behind the construction of the Renaissance castle. On the François I Pavilion, we can still see the mullioned windows from this period. Henri de Daillon having no sons, it was his nephew Antoine de Roquelaure, Marshal of France, who inherited the castle in 1686. He contributed to the exterior development of the castle by creating courtyards, gardens and a moat. The Château de Champchevrier was sold in 1728 to Jean-Baptiste Pierre Henri, first Baron de Champchevrier. In fact, the lands of the domain were erected into a barony in 1741 by letters patent from Louis XV. The first baron created the large perspectives which extend from the castle towards the forest, and had the terrace built to give elegance to the residence. This taste for the French art of living is found in particular in the immense portrait room covered with a magnificent Italian marble floor and adorned with a sumptuous 18th century earthenware stove commissioned by a royal repurchase during the demolition of the Château de Richelieu. A very beautiful set of porcelain tableware and numerous pieces of old crystal are displayed in display cases. The beauty of the Château de Champchevrier also lies in the rich furniture of the different rooms open to the public: in the music room, the precious Regency period furniture was already part of the inventory of the château when it was purchased by the family in 1728. But the visit is also worth the detour for its collection of exceptional tapestries made by three factories in the 16th and 17th centuries, including eight unique tapestries in the world from the royal factory of Amiens based on cartoons by Simon Vouët, official painter to Louis XIIII . Finally, the Château de Champchevrier reveals the daily life of those who shared the lives of the owners behind the scenes. The lingerie, particularly complete in terms of accessories, is an interesting testimony to all the stewardship necessary for the life of such a place. In the old kitchens, the large battery of copper pans and other utensils from yesteryear allows you to imagine the activity of the staff. A visit to the Château de Champchevrier is an unforgettable walk between nature and heritage, to the rhythm of the seasons between the life of the hounds and the family events of a residence whose inhabitants, guarantors of traditions, have their eyes fixed on the future.

These are the ruins of a 15th century castle. After 12 years of opening to the public, the castle is changing the way guided tours take place. These will now be by appointment only, every day and all year except Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. More info here: http://www.chateaudevaujours.fr/

This is the menhir of the Val Joyous lake at Château la Vallière

Family property, Champchevrier Castle is a historic castle inhabited by the same family since 1728. It is open to the public from June 15 to the third weekend of September, European Heritage Days weekend.

one of the many castles in the Loire, from the 16th century

It's a big rock in the middle of a field... Why on earth the people way back when decided to put it there, I've no idea, but it's awesome!

The Menhir of Vaujours is a leaning megalithic stone, planted vertically which dates from the Neolithic era. It is a huge stone over 3.50 meters high and 1.50 meters wide.

The Menhir of Vaujours is a leaning megalithic stone, planted vertically which dates from the Neolithic era. It is a huge stone over 3.50 meters high and 1.50 meters wide.