Maslives: Village History and Crafts

Maslives is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Village du Val de Loire. Visitors can explore it in different ways: a self-guided walking tour through the open-air museum, local heritage features, artisanal biscuit-making and designated cycling routes.

Walking Tour and Local History

The “Histoire au fil des rues®” tourist walking tour includes Maslives. This self-guided route takes you through an open-air museum and is marked with numbered information panels. The Girouet of Maslives can be seen in the village square; the covered wells are also among the commune’s notable features.

There are many vineyard huts around Maslives. Winemakers and their workers used them as places to rest and store equipment. Their former dual purpose gives them a practical connection to the daily work of winegrowing.

A facsimile of the “Lettres Patentes” is on display at the town hall reception desk. As access to the reception desk may vary, check in advance if needed.

Since 2022, the commune has opened its council chamber to artists. The “Expos en mairie” series features exhibitions with varied themes, dates and durations; opening arrangements may also vary. Before visiting, check whether an exhibition coincides with your stay and is accessible.

Crafts and Flavours

The Biscuiterie de Chambord in Maslives offers a guided tour of its artisanal workshop. During the tour, biscuits are sampled with local wine—red or white—or local fruit juice. The visit therefore combines an insight into how the biscuits are made with a tasting. Booking details and tasting options may change; check them before your visit.

The Biscuiterie preserves traditional biscuit-making skills, creating biscuits inspired by the local culinary heritage. Its signature product is the Palet Solognot, a traditional pastry with raisins and rum.

The walking tour is explicitly self-guided, whereas the Biscuiterie focuses on a guided tour of the workshop. If you are choosing between these two types of visit, you can decide whether you would rather explore on foot independently or combine a look at the craft with a tasting as part of a guided tour.

Cycling Routes and Viewpoint

Maslives lies at the intersection of the “Loire à vélo” cycle route and the “Châteaux à vélo” loops. As routes may change, check them before your trip. In Maslives, the Route d’Artagnan follows the communal roads CR No. 8 and CR No. 17 between Saint-Dyé and Chambord; local route signs may also change.

The car park at Maslives town hall is the recommended starting point for La Charrette renversée. The viewpoint offers a new perspective on the Château de Chambord from outside the château grounds. Check local information before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Chissay-En-Touraine, Saint-Georges-Sur-Cher, La Chaussée-Saint-Victor, Oucques, Saint-Ouen, Seillac, Selles Saint Denis, Mennetou-sur-Cher

For the broader travel overview: Loir-Et-Cher.