Athée-Sur-Cher: Church, Silk Craft and Renaissance

When choosing a destination, Athée-sur-Cher can appeal to a range of interests: architectural history is reflected in the Église Saint-Romain and several châteaux, while the Tour de la Magnanerie focuses on silk production. The Cher offers a seasonal opportunity for fishing, and a shaded stretch of the Cœur de France à Vélo route also leads toward the town. This lets you plan your trip around culture or a specific outdoor activity.

Church and Silk Production

The Église Saint-Romain was built in the 12th century. Around 1635, it was almost entirely rebuilt by Philippe Sallier, Seigneur de Chênaie. The building therefore brings together two distinctly separate construction phases: its medieval origins and its almost complete renovation in the 17th century. Since the protection order of August 22, 1949, the church has been classified as a Monument historique.

Directly behind the church stands the Tour de la Magnanerie, a round tower building intended for silkworm farming and probably built in the 16th century. Since September 2021, the tower has housed a permanent exhibition on the history of silk production in Touraine and Athée. The subject thus spans both the building’s former use and the region’s silk history. If you’re interested in culture, the historic tower and the exhibition complement each other with their local and regional focus.

Renaissance Architecture at Two Châteaux

The Château de la Chesnaye was built in the 16th and 17th centuries and is privately owned. Its Renaissance features include balconies, projecting window bays, balusters and reliefs. These specific architectural features give the building’s classification more definition than a date alone: here, the focus is on the building’s design elements.

The Château de Nitray is a remarkable Renaissance ensemble below the Pont de Chandon, overlooking the valley. Its buildings and park have been listed in the Inventaire since 1947. The two châteaux have different points of interest: at La Chesnaye, these are the specified Renaissance details and the construction period; at Nitray, they are the ensemble as a whole, its relationship to the bridge and the view over the valley. This distinction can help you choose which buildings to visit based on the aspect that interests you most.

The Cher, Cycling Route and Seasonal Fishing

Athée-sur-Cher borders the left bank of the Cher for a stretch of 5.5 kilometers. Fishing is permitted there during the open season with a fishing permit. If you’re planning a fishing trip, keep both of these conditions in mind: the relevant season and the required permit. Check the applicable season dates before planning your trip.

On the Cœur de France à Vélo route, a stretch leads from Azay-sur-Cher toward Athée-sur-Cher. This section is more shaded and passes through wooded areas. If shade and a wooded setting influence your cycling plans, this gives you a specific point of reference when choosing a section. The description applies to the stretch toward Athée, not to the route as a whole.

An Event on Palm Sunday Weekend

The Foire à l’andouillette takes place on Palm Sunday weekend. If you’d like to plan your stay around this event, check the announced event dates in advance. That way, you can include it in your travel plans without assuming a particular year’s edition.

Discover more destinations: Huismes, Joué-Lés-Tours, Saint-Cyr-Sur-Loire, Chambray-Lès-Tours, Saint-Jean-Saint-Germain, Mazières-De-Touraine, Saint-Nicolas-Des-Motets, Ballan-Miré

Return to the regional travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.