Châteaux that care about the environment Châteaux that care about the environment

The châteaux of Touraine Players committed to biodiversity

Ecological initiatives

In Touraine, châteaux are not just witnesses to history. They are also havens of peace for wildlife, with the creation of LPO refuges and the development of natural areas. As well as the architecture of the châteaux, take the time to admire the wonderful diversity of birds that thrive here!

Immersive experiences in the heart of nature

Visiting the châteaux of Touraine also means taking a wellness break in the gardens. Listen to the birdsong and breathe in the scent of the plants lined up in neat rows. And don’t hesitate to ask the gardeners what they know: they’ll be happy to share their knowledge with you!

Castles alongside the LPO

Château de Villandry

Several years ago, the Château de Villandry joined the LPO’s refuges programme, which includes areas of fallow land and gardens conducive to biodiversity. These areas become educational centres for visitors, who learn to recognise local plants and birds. Nearly 90 bird species have been recorded. Enough to make you want to create your own garden along these lines!

Royal Château of Amboise

Overlooking the Loire, the famous Château Royal d’Amboise has been committed to the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (League for the Protection of Birds) since 2016, and aims to be a model for the preservation of our feathered friends. With its gardens classified as “Remarkable Gardens”, the certification of the Château d’Amboise as an LPO Refuge is part of a desire to protect biodiversity and show good practice to visitors: around twenty nesting boxes line the garden and no phytosanitary treatments are used.

Château de Minière

There’s another château, this time a wine château: Château de Minière, in Coteaux-sur-Loire. This AOC Bourgueil estate adoptedorganic farming methods in 2013, and became an LPO refuge in 2017. Beehives have also found their place on the estate, cohabiting with birds whose songs may wake up holidaymakers staying in one of the gîtes!

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Wildlife in Touraine A rich ecosystem to preserve

Birds in Touraine

Touraine is home to a multitude of bird species, from the most common to the rarest. When you visit the châteaux mentioned above, or the châteaux of Chenonceau, Clos Lucé, Rivau orAzay-le-Rideau, you can watch or listen for titmice, kestrels, robins, tawny owls and black swifts, not forgetting window swallows playing hide-and-seek in the châteaux’ ramparts.

A sensitive natural area, the Domaine de Candé regularly organises nature outings with specialist guides. Birdwatching is sometimes on the programme!

More information about the Domaine de Candé

Nature outings

Beyond the châteaux, there are a number of natural sites ideal for birdwatching. Armed with a pair of binoculars, take a look at the observatories atAssay and Le Louroux ponds, or at Lac de Rillé, and… admire!

Take a stroll around theisland of Bondésir (Montlouis-sur-Loire), for example, after lunch at the Gueuleton restaurant. There are a number of interpretation panels about the local fauna along a short discovery trail.

Experience: discover the ENS in Touraine

What is the role of the LPO?

The LPO and a number of other naturalist associations play a crucial role in protecting birds and their habitats. Through awareness-raising, conservation and research activities, the LPO ensures that visitors understand the importance of preserving this biodiversity. In a variety of remarkable natural landscapes, LPO nature guides lead accompanied outings to observe terns, ospreys and swallows. And to ensure that you can continue to enjoy this spectacle for a long time to come, private individuals and tourist sites alike are playing their part in protecting biodiversity by displaying the “Refuge LPO” label.

Bird-related activities

The Loire Anjou Touraine Nature Park, the Maison de la Loire, Val de Loire Ecotourisme and Touraine Terre d’Histoire all offer regular opportunities to observe bird populations (without disturbing them!).

The bird mini-golf course at Lac de Rillé is open from April to November. More than just a promise of fun for all the family, it’s a real celebration of nature. The 18-hole miniature golf course is lined with sculptures of local birds. It also features an educational trail created in conjunction with the Regional Nature Park, and set up by the Centre Permanent d’Initiatives pour l’Environnement in collaboration with the LPO.

Further south, not far from the Saché forest, isChristine Vincent’s workshop, a veritable temple of well-being for all birds. Her space is teeming with adorable wicker feeders and nesting boxes. You can expect to pay between €12 and €50 for a feeder, and between €40 and €80 for a nesting box, as well as specialist food certified by the LPO*.

You can also visit Plume et brin d’osier, which offers a wide range of activities, including introductory wickerwork courses (open to the general public, aged 3 and over, from €12 by prior arrangement) and a fun and educational wickerwork tour (also by prior arrangement).

Activities in the NRP

A hike in the vineyards, a basket-making discovery course, an outing to meet the beaver… share moments of exploration and conviviality. Whatever the season, take advantage ofactivities run by enthusiastic professionals who have signed up to a quality charter with the Park.

Plume et Brin d'Osier

Where can you fall asleep lulled by birdsong?

What a sweet dream to fall asleep to the sound of birdsong! Near Amboise, the Gîte de la Touche is a 17th-century family home in the heart of nature! Committed to protecting biodiversity, the family has preserved a number of natural habitats and centuries-old trees. The property has been awarded the “Refuge Jardin d’Oiseaux” label by the LPO, and is also a playground for a group of squirrels hiding in an ancient cedar and circling around deer. In the same area, you’ll find Les Patis campsite and Domaine du Moulin de Sainte Croix, which are also LPO refuges. To the south, head for the gîte La Parenthèse, as well as the guest rooms and cabins at Château de Charnizay. One last address? Beaurepaire!