Messas: Winemaking Tradition and Village History in the Loire Valley

Messas lies between Beaugency and Meung-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley. Churches and manor houses, local winemaking traditions, and activities on and along the Loire offer different ways to make the most of a stay. If you are looking for a hotel in Messas, you can plan your trip around these interests.

Village layout and getting there

The village extends mainly along its two main roads, La Margottière and La Perrière; it does not have a clearly defined center. The street names are therefore useful reference points when finding your way around or heading to a particular address.

You can reach Messas by car via the A10 motorway and the D2152. For public transport, one option is to travel via Beaugency station and continue by REMI coach. Check timetables and connections before you travel so you can plan your arrival accordingly.

Churches and manor houses

The parish church of Saint-Sébastien replaced a chapel that opened on 5 October 1489. Messas became an independent parish on 1 April 1524. The Church of Saint-Vincent dates from the 16th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of winegrowers—a religious connection that reflects the village’s winemaking tradition.

This connection is also evident in an architectural detail at a winegrower’s house at 3 rue des Vauguignons: its chimney bears a pruning knife and pruning shears, identifying it as a winegrower’s property. The Manoir de la Perrière was built in the 1850s by a regional wine merchant. Of the three manor houses in Messas, this is the only one open to the public. Check the visiting arrangements before you go.

Wine in Messas

Wine is produced on a small scale in Messas; at the same time, the commune lies within the IGP area for wines of the Loire Valley. Vinicurieux offers wine tastings and workshops focused on Loire wines. If you would like to take part, check availability before booking.

Lanes, paths, and activities on the Loire

You can explore Messas via its lanes and paths. Along the way, look out for small capped fountains. Walks and bike rides along the banks of the Loire are also among the activities available during a stay in Messas. Check specific routes and access points before your trip so you can plan your outings.

Canoeing on the Loire is another activity to consider for a weekend in Messas. Check in advance whether availability and launch points suit your travel dates. This lets you include activities on the riverbank and on the river in your plans without committing to a particular route.

A village festival with a history

The Fête de l’Océan began in 1996 at the initiative of several members of the municipal festival committee as an annual village festival involving all of Messas’s associations. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the current event dates.

Discover more destinations: Châlette-Sur-Loing, Neuvy-en-Sullias, Faverelles, Saran, La Bussière, Pannes, La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, Césarville-Dossainville.

For the broader travel overview: Loiret.