Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois: Pilgrim History and Heritage

Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois lies on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. The village combines this pilgrim history with buildings and sites of remembrance from different centuries. Forests, meadows and farmland also shape the landscape of southern Touraine. If you would like to focus on history, architecture and time outdoors during your stay, you will find several different themes here: from a hospice built for pilgrims and a residence with distinctive architectural details to paths that can be explored on foot or by bicycle.

Pilgrim history and protected buildings

The Ancienne aumônerie was built for pilgrims in 1415 and has been listed as a historic monument since 1937. The parish church of Saint-Catherine was founded in 1431 and has been classified as a historic monument since 1862. These dates mark different stages in the history of each site: the 15th-century dates refer to construction or foundation, while the later dates refer to their protected status. The different designations, “listed” and “classified,” are also part of the respective details for the two buildings.

Another historic building is the Maison du Dauphin. Sire d’Estouteville, the lord of Sainte-Maure, had it built in 1478. The protection covers the residence, which was listed in 1927, and the well, which was listed in 1928. The house and well are therefore part of the same site, but have different listing years.

Architecture and historical memory

The Maison du Dauphin is distinguished by four mullioned windows, a low ogee-arched doorway and decorated gables. Two winged dragons sit at the bases of the gables, which are themselves adorned with crockets. The windows, doorway and gable ornamentation each make their own architectural statement. Mullions divide the window area with intersecting elements, while the ogee arch describes the curved shape of the doorway. The dragons at the bases of the gables are another specific detail, drawing the eye from the windows and doorway up to the roofline.

The statue of Joan of Arc stands on Place Jeanne-d’Arc. It was unveiled on 23 March 1895. Its inscriptions record that Joan of Arc stopped in Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois on 5 March 1429 and had her sword requested there on 23 April 1429. These episodes are thus preserved in inscriptions on the statue. This is distinct from the traditional attribution of a stay by Charles VII at the Maison du Dauphin. The sites of remembrance therefore bring together a dated unveiling, episodes recorded in inscriptions and a traditional account.

Further history and landscape

South of Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois, in the Bois Saint-Maurice, a Protestant temple was built in 1958 for services held by Dutch Reformed churches of the Calvinist tradition. Its location, year of construction and original purpose add a distinct connection to the religious history of the 20th century alongside the older buildings and sites of remembrance.

The surrounding area also offers a different way to experience the character of the village. Forests, meadows and farmland are characteristic of southern Touraine. Several streams cross Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois and contribute to the area's ecological richness. Walking trails and small country roads make it possible to explore the commune on foot or by bicycle. During a stay, historic buildings and inscriptions can thus be experienced alongside a landscape whose paths and waterways are also part of the local scene.

Discover more destinations: Tours, Marray, Candes-Saint-Martin, Paulmy, Mettray, Monts, Artannes-sur-Indre, Pocé-Sur-Cisse.

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