Discover Troo

Troo combines a terraced village layout with a diverse architectural and historical heritage. Caves, paths and stairways are as much a part of its character as living spaces carved into tuff stone, protected buildings and routes that pass through the village. This offers more than a single way to explore Troo when planning a trip: you can get to know it through its layout, its history and its named routes.

Terraces, Troglodyte Dwellings and Tuff Stone

Troo’s village layout consists of terraced levels with caves, paths and stairways. The troglodyte dwellings are carved into tuff stone and form a distinctive architectural heritage. Together, these features give the village a strong architectural character: the stepped layout shapes its appearance as much as individual buildings do. If you choose destinations based on their architecture, Troo offers a specific focus to consider.

History and Protected Buildings

The collegiate church of Saint-Martin was founded by Geoffroy Martel in 1050 and is designated a Monument historique. Troo’s fortified defensive system comprises two motte-and-bailey mounds, two rings of fortifications and gates connected to chapels or a motte. This description thus identifies several distinct elements of the system.

Other protected sites include the ruins of the Maladrerie Sainte-Catherine, classified as a Monument historique since 1889, and the Le Puits qui parle well, listed as a Monument historique since 1935. The former priory of Notre-Dame-des-Marchais is classified as a Monument historique on the basis of the 1862 list. The dates have different meanings: 1050 marks the founding of the collegiate church; 1889 and 1935 refer to the classification or listing, while 1862 is the year of the list on which the former priory’s classification is based.

Cave Spaces and a Slow Geological Process

The Cave Yuccas is a former troglodyte dwelling. It comprises six rooms carved into tuff stone and offers a view over the Loir Valley. Access may vary seasonally, so take this into account when planning your visit.

The Grotte pétrifiante offers a different perspective on the rock: minerals deposit there at a rate of about one centimetre per century, forming a delicate stone mineral structure. This slow deposition is a distinct aspect of the village, alongside the human-made living spaces carved into tuff stone.

Routes Through Troo

The GR 35, known as “Du Perche au Loir,” passes through Troo between Pezou, north of Vendôme, and Vaas. The signposted “Vallée du Loir à vélo – V47” route also passes through Troo on the Montoire-sur-le-Loir–Ruillé-sur-Loir stage. These details refer to two different named routes and sections. Check the route conditions before setting out on the GR 35. Changes to route management may affect information about the V47, so it is worth checking the stage details for the latest information.

If you are considering Troo as a destination for a hotel stay, you can focus on its architectural history, terraced village layout or one of the routes that pass through it. This can help you choose the destination according to which of these aspects matters most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Selles-Sur-Cher, Mont-Près-Chambord, Vievy-Le-Rayé, Briou, La Ferté-Saint-Cyr, Sasnières, La Fontenelle, Sambin

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