True luxury in Grand Châtellerault? The possibility of allowing yourself a certain slowness to observe, listen, think... The destination is easily explored without a car. We travel differently, in complete freedom. Here, eco-responsible strollers are king.
Photo by A ©Agence Zébrelle
Chatellerault
An ideally located station
Exactly 30 years ago Châtellerault inaugurated its SNCF train station, a stone's throw from the city center and edges of vienna.
Once off the train, the traveler wanders through the historic district to discover the Descartes house, the Blossac theater, elegant mansions,Saint-Jacques church and its extraordinary Bollée carillon... The castle's rose garden offers a romantic setting for a break with a view of the river and the Henri IV bridge. Square Gambetta, the caretaker's house is striking with its medieval half-timbered façade.
On the left bank stand the Vilmouth Towers, symbols of the former royal factory. From “La Manu”, as the locals affectionately call it, there remains an imposing architecture and a rich history to discover at the art and industry museum The Grand Atelier. After a walk along the water's edge, a picnic in the assessor's meadow is a must.
The visitor also has all the cards in hand to extend his journey: urban buses, regional coaches, rental bicycles, cycle paths, cycle routes, etc.
2 kilometers away, the bucolic Green Line extends over an old railway line towards Loudun.
A station manager…
Ambassador of Slow Tourism
Born in Châtellerault, Christelle Dechereux, the station manager, has 23 years of experience at the SNCF after joining for a summer job at the end of her communications studies. Today, the local manager is responsible for passenger safety, train regularity and information.
The station plays an important role because it is the first and last image of the city for the traveler
1 hour 20 minutes from Paris and the first gateway to New Aquitaine in the Centre-Val de Loire region, the railway station welcomes 37 trains, 10 TGVs and 27 TER trains daily. We regularly come across the Châtelleraud cycling champion Sylvain Chavanel or even the Bodin's!
An experienced cyclist, Christelle Dechereux rides in a club every weekend on the roads of Grand Châtellerault and likes to set herself challenges, like the ascent of Mont Ventoux last year. Great knowledge of the area, this enthusiast is full of ideas to advise vacationers without a car.
A car-free micro-adventure inspiration…
Take the time to uncover the secrets of the territory on line 11 of the TER Nouvelle Aquitaine…
Day 1
- Arrival at Châtellerault station
- Rental of a classic or electric bike at the station Velibleu
- Departure in TER and arrival at the station Les Ormes after 15 minutes of travel (2 stops on the way: Ingrandes-sur-Vienne and Dangé-Saint-Romain) instead of 20 minutes by car
- Direction the Ormes campsite labeled Accueil Vélo to drop off luggage (9 minutes on foot)
- Visit this charming village at the gates of Touraine: – the majestic Château des Ormes, cradle of the thoughts of Diderot, Voltaire and Rousseau in the Age of Enlightenment, – the Horse Post, a Historical Monument from the 18e century, considered one of the most remarkable Relais de Poste in France, – the town hall and its park planted with 27 rare or remarkable species, – the picturesque old market halls and the small church with its unusual neo-Byzantine bell tower, – the wash house with breathtaking views of the Vienne river lined with a turret like a question mark, – Picnic at the water's edge near the wash house.
Day 2
- Departure by bike for Dange-Saint-Romain (15 minutes), its bridge, its church and its dairy. Visit to the Tourist Office, tasting the macaroons from the pastry shop L’Instant Douceurs, break at a café terrace, shopping at the Saturday morning market.
- Direction Vaux-sur-Vienne (20 minutes by bike). Installation at gîte Le Prieuré labeled Accueil Vélo and equipped with a swimming pool, a SPA, a sauna, a fitness room…
- Hiking on circuit n°55 “ By Vaux and by Bois » (Distance: 9,8 km, duration: 2h40 with heritage and panoramic views)
- Picnic with a view in the town of Vaux-sur-Vienne
Day 3
- Departure by bike (15 minutes) for the dynamic village of Oyré. Horseback riding from the equestrian center Equi-Loisir.
- Bistronomic and locavore lunch at restaurant Le Local.
- Leave for Ingrandes-sur-Vienne by bike (20 minutes) to enjoy a 4-star green break at the campsite Le Petit Trianon Saint-Ustre, labeled Home bike
- Shopping at Aigle factory store (12 minutes by bike) where the famous rubber boot popular as far as Japan is made by hand!
- Refreshments at the local produce store O Steph’s Little Market for the evening picnic Gros Caillou Lake.
Day 4
- Leave for Chatellerault following the route of the Scandibérique, French part of EuroVelo 3, over 10 km.
- Visit the historic center, the quays and La Manu for a summer session of roller gliss. Relaxing at the beach forest lake in Châtellerault (10 minutes by bike).
- Return of the Vélibleu before the return train.
Themes
