The southern Touraine greenway | Touraine Val de Loire

The green route South Touraine

Here’s what the route looks like to the village of Tournon-Saint Martin, in the neighbouring department of Indre. Cycling along this converted former railway line, pedal through superb landscapes, and visit the René Boylesve garden at Descartes, the prehistory museum at Grand-Pressigny, or the superb Saint-Pierre abbey church at Preuilly-sur-Claise. To vary the pleasures, plan a few side trips, with bike loops connected to the Sud Touraine greenway:
– boucle de la Baronnie, as far as the château d’Azay-le-Ferron.
– boucle des trois rivières (n°9), as far as Petit Pressigny and its Michelin-starred restaurant: La Promenade.
– three-river loop (n°10), passing through the Claise, the Aigronne, and the Muanne.
– loop between Claise and Creuse, with a stopover in Yzeures-sur-Creuse, at the Relais de la Mothe.
– bike loop no. 7 in the Vienne department (24km), from Tournon Saint-Pierre to Angles-sur-Anglin, one of France’s most beautiful villages.

En route vers le Berry

A major cycle route is due to see the light of day in 2027, between Touraine and Berry. But right now, you can join another greenway in the Indre department that runs towards Le Blanc, then on to Argenton-sur-Creuse.

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Itinerant Stay

Take your bikes on the railway line between Tours and Poitiers, and get off the train at Port de Piles station. After 10 kilometres of country roads, you’ll be in Descartes, the birthplace of the famous philosopher. is a perfect stopover, as is the Roseraie campsite. The next day, crossing the great bridge over the Claise marks the entrance to a charming valley sometimes referred to as Touraine’s little Dordogne: tufa stone, yellow ochre, flat tiles, archaeological sites, truffle and foie gras producers, it’s all here! The stations and engineering structures of the old railway line follow one another. Then, standing out against the horizon on its promontory, the château-musée de la Préhistoire du Grand-Pressigny appears. The station has become the workshop and showroom of two designers: Mr Machin and Mrs Truk. After a night at the Croix Marron campsite or the Maison d’hôtes du château, continue eastwards through the charming villages of Étableau and Chaumussay, pretty market towns set in the meandering Claise river. When you reach Boussay, admire the château that has stood proudly in the centre of its grounds for 1,000 years. The final stage takes you to Preuilly-sur-Claise (where a market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays). Admire the beauty of the Romanesque church, with its bell tower covered in Burgundy glazed tiles. Further on, the silhouette of the Château du Lion stands out against the hillside. Want to spend one last night here? Book with one of our guest rooms in the shadow of the abbey church!

[INSPIRATION SUD TOURAINE] Voie Verte de Descartes à Preuilly-sur-Claise

Camping La Roseraie

In a very shaded area, with over 50 pitches on the edge of the river. The campsite has chalets for 4-6 people and municipal gites (max. 14 people).

Sedentary stay around the greenway

Don’t fancy embarking on a touring holiday? Make the most of the voie verte Sud Touraine anyway, by bike or on foot, taking the route for a stroll of a few hours. As well as the points of interest already mentioned above, there’s plenty more to keep you busy during a week’s stay here: the Naturéo water park, the royal city of Loches, the Haute Touche zoological reserve, the Château de la Guerche, the La Roche Posay spa…