Saint-Laurent-Nouan: Churches, Mills and History

Saint-Laurent-Nouan offers a range of starting points for planning a stay: church architecture, protected works of art, mills and a freely accessible outdoor trail. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Laurent-Nouan, you can decide what to focus on based on whether you mainly want to explore architecture and history or also include activities involving exercise and water.

Churches, building phases and works of art

The parish church of Saint-Laurent-Saint-Germain has an entrance-tower porch dating from the 11th century. The nave, choir and transept were rebuilt in the 16th century. This makes it possible to distinguish two building phases at the church: the tower porch from the 11th century and the rebuilding of the other parts of the building mentioned above in the 16th century. This timeline gives the church a specific architectural focus.

The church also houses numerous works of art classified as Monuments historiques. These include wooden statues of Saint Laurent and Saint Germain, as well as a polychrome wooden chest front from the 17th century depicting scenes from the Passion. The architecture and works of art thus point to different periods, and the building’s history is not limited to a single century.

Another church to visit is Saint-Aignan in Nouan. The church dates from the 12th century and is considered the oldest Romanesque church in the region. By comparison, at Saint-Laurent-Saint-Germain the focus is particularly on the entrance-tower porch from the 11th century alongside the building parts rebuilt later. The two churches therefore offer different historical reference points for anyone interested in regional religious architecture.

Mills and protected local heritage

The Moulin Saint-Jacques is an early 19th-century windmill of the Anjou-type Moulin-cavier. Its exterior can be viewed free of charge every day; guided tours with commentary are available by appointment. If you would like to plan a guided tour, check the visiting arrangements before your trip.

The Moulin-cavier de Nouan-sur-Loire is listed as a Monument historique; it has been protected since 13 January 1992. This date provides a separate historical reference point alongside the construction history of the Moulin Saint-Jacques. The Moulin-cavier de Nouan-sur-Loire is listed as a Monument historique; it has been protected since 13 January 1992. This date provides a separate historical reference point alongside the construction history of the Moulin Saint-Jacques.

Discovery trail, cycling route and activities

The freely accessible outdoor discovery trail “Histoire au fil des rues®” features numbered information panels. It lets you explore the town by visiting individual stops. Saint-Laurent-Nouan is also on the “Châteaux à vélo” cycling route, making cycling one of the designated themes to consider when planning your stay. The trail and the cycling route offer different approaches: one features numbered outdoor panels, while the other follows a cycling route.

For Swin Golf, there is a six-hole practice course near the Loire, covering six hectares. A canoe launch ramp is located at Port du Cavereau, which was restored in 2000. Small fishermen’s and boatmen’s houses, as well as mooring rings, have also been preserved there. Alongside the churches and mills, these details offer further distinct points of interest for those interested in leisure activities and built heritage.

Take visiting arrangements into account when planning

The options also differ in how you can visit: the discovery trail is freely accessible, the exterior of the Moulin Saint-Jacques can be viewed free of charge every day, and guided tours there are available by appointment. The Centre d’Information du Public at the Saint-Laurent nuclear power plant offers free visits, either self-guided or guided. Check the Centre’s visiting arrangements before your trip. This will help you distinguish between independent exploration and visits that need to be arranged in advance when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations

Vallières-Les-Grandes, Cormeray, La Ville-Aux-Clercs, Contres, Couture-Sur-Loir, Choussy, Pouillé, Avaray

For the overview of the wider area: Loir-Et-Cher.