Civray-De-Touraine: Architectural History, Wine and Canoe Trips

Civray-De-Touraine stretches across both banks of the Cher. The town’s architectural history spans medieval churches and fortifications to an 18th-century château. There are also wine tours, activities on the water and a bicycle rental service. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose from a range of options, from architecture and local history to outdoor activities.

The Church and Medieval Building Phases

Église Saint-Germain has a nave and transept dating from the 11th century, as well as a choir dating from the 13th century. A decree dated June 19, 1946, designated these three parts of the building as historic monuments. The flooring of a Merovingian baptistery was also rediscovered during construction of the façade and bell tower, which were built in 1861. The church thus brings together several clearly distinct building and archaeological histories.

Château de Mesvres also shows evidence of different medieval building phases. Significant remains of the 12th-century fortress have survived, including thick walls built in opus spicatum—a herringbone-pattern masonry. The square keep adds another element: its base dates from the 13th century, while its upper section dates from the 15th century. Details about the masonry and tower make it easy to distinguish between the different elements.

The Château and Its Grounds

Château de Civray-de-Touraine was built in 1715 by Louis Lhomme de la Pinsonnière and later remodeled during the Restoration. The four-hectare estate includes a landscaped park with century-old trees, colorful flowerbeds and a basin with a fountain. The history of this château is therefore set in a different period and landscape from the medieval fortress of Mesvres.

By appointment, Château de Civray-de-Touraine offers groups guided tours of the ground floor and grounds. Arrangements in advance are therefore part of planning a group visit; check the current tour options beforehand.

Wine and Tours

Caves du Père Auguste combines winemaking with tours and tastings. The estate has 40 hectares of vineyards on the slopes between Civray-de-Touraine and Chenonceaux. You can visit independently or, subject to availability, take a guided tour. This is followed by a guided tasting of white, rosé and red wines, as well as sparkling wines; grape juice is available for children. The variety of wines and the explanations during the tasting give the visit its own distinctive focus. As guided tours are subject to availability, it is advisable to check the current options beforehand.

Canoe and Cycling Trips

Canoë Company’s main base is in Civray-de-Touraine on the Cher, and it offers several canoe routes. One route passes beneath Château de Chenonceau. The company also organizes three- to six-day nature trips with bivouacs, combining canoeing and cycling. These multi-day trips are therefore quite different in duration from individual canoe routes. Routes, programs and opening hours may vary; check the latest information before planning your trip.

For cycling trips, Touraine à Vélo in Civray-de-Touraine rents fully equipped trekking bikes, tandems, electric bikes, children’s bikes and bike trailers. The range therefore includes various types of bicycles and trailers. Touraine à Vélo is listed as a professional bicycle rental service with the designations La Loire à Vélo and Accueil Vélo. Rental inventory and service periods, as well as the status of such designations, may change; check the latest information if these details are important to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Beaumont-La-Ronce, Chinon, Montlouis-Sur-Loire, Marigny-Marmande, Mouzay, Trogues, Sainte-Maure-De-Touraine, Chambourg-Sur-Indre.

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