Noizay: History, Wine and a Cycling Loop

Noizay brings together historic sites, wine and a cycling loop. Château de Noizay, Église Saint-Prix and Domaine de Beauclair offer different highlights: architectural and usage history, religious art, and Vouvray wine tastings. Le Grand Coteau also offers a personal story of its own. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose to focus on cultural history, wine or cycling; these themes also differ in their historical periods and visit arrangements.

The history of Château de Noizay

Château de Noizay was built at the beginning of the 16th century on the site of a feudal estate. In 1560, it served as an arsenal and weapons depot for Castelnau, one of the most important leaders of the Amboise conspiracy. Its history therefore extends beyond its construction: its use in connection with the conspiracy is a distinct historical point of reference. After a fire, the château was rebuilt in the 17th century. Its feudal predecessor, construction at the beginning of the 16th century, and rebuilding after the fire mark distinct stages. Together, they give the château’s history both an architectural and a historical dimension.

Église Saint-Prix: Architecture and art

Église Saint-Prix offers a different perspective on history. Construction began in the 11th century; its stained-glass windows date from the 16th and 19th centuries, and it also houses a 16th-century Pietà. The beginning of construction and the artworks therefore do not belong to the same period. This contrast brings early architectural history together with religious art created later. The different dates of the windows and the Pietà provide concrete points of reference for exploring the history of art and distinguish this focus from the history of the château.

Le Grand Coteau and Francis Poulenc

Le Grand Coteau offers a personal perspective: Francis Poulenc acquired it in 1927 as a quiet place to work, where he could welcome his contemporaries. The focus at Le Grand Coteau is therefore on work and exchange, rather than a building phase or the furnishings of a church. Its connection with Poulenc complements the history of the château and the art history of Église Saint-Prix with a biographical perspective from the 20th century. Noizay thus offers a range of historical themes that are not limited to a single period.

Vouvray wines and cellar tours

Domaine de Beauclair lies on the eastern side of the Vouvray appellation, in the commune of Noizay. It offers a variety of tastings of its Vouvray wines in a troglodytic cellar. Cellar tours are available by appointment; arrange your visit with the winery. The cellar provides a distinctive setting for the tastings. This makes wine, alongside the historic buildings and Poulenc’s biography, another way to discover Noizay.

Planning the cycling loop from Amboise

For a bike ride, the easy Circuit vélo Amboise-Noizay – Boucle 12 is a distinct option. It loops around Noizay and Nazelles-Négron; the route passes vineyards, slopes and troglodytic hamlets. These landscape features give the loop a different focus from the history of the buildings or Vouvray tastings. From Amboise station, you can reach the cycling loop via signposted Route 12; this adds 3 km. Allow for this additional distance if you plan to start at the station. The loop thus combines a ride through distinctive scenery with a specific connection from Amboise.

Discover more destinations: Loché-Sur-Indrois, Benais, Larçay, Villaines-Les-Rochers, Le Louroux, Reugny, Neuvy-Le-Roi, Reignac-Sur-Indre.

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