Crotelles: Menhir, Church and Madelon

If you are planning a trip to Crotelles, you will find a variety of points of interest: the Neolithic Gros Perron menhir, Église Notre-Dame, the Madelon and the former Étang Hidou. Alongside cultural and natural attractions, there are tourist cycling routes and hiking trails. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to decide what you would like to focus on: are you particularly interested in local history, waterways and wetlands, or outdoor activities?

Cultural history: menhir and church

The Neolithic “Gros Perron” menhir can be seen from a footpath on a hill north of the centre of Crotelles. It is about 1.70 metres high and made of puddingstone. Its approximate height gives an idea of the stone’s size, while the material describes its composition. The footpath provides a specific link between its visibility and the landscape north of the centre. This monument therefore draws attention both to its prehistoric context and to its tangible features and connection to the landscape.

Église Notre-Dame complements the menhir with an architectural point of interest. Its nave dates from the 11th century; the church has been restored several times over the years. Its distinctive feature is the choir roof, shaped like a “bonnet d’âne” (donkey’s cap). The choir roof is the section of the roof above the choir. The building thus brings together the historical context of its nave and a distinctive roof shape. Unlike the single menhir, it directs attention to a church whose history has also been shaped by later restorations.

The Madelon and Étang Hidou

In the surrounding landscape of Crotelles, numerous springs, wells and fountains feed the Madelon. These water sources also illustrate how the waterway is connected to the landscape. Observations from 2020 recorded brown trout, bullhead, stone loach and minnow in the Madelon; trout of all ages were observed in the area around the village centre. Ecological observations and surveys from the same year found that the Madelon was in good ecological condition in the Crotelles area. The water sources and observations offer different perspectives: the Madelon’s connection to the landscape and its ecological characteristics as recorded at that time.

Another natural feature is the former Étang Hidou. A municipal environmental description from 2021 describes it as a wetland that had been redesigned almost ten years earlier. Wetland wildlife, including birds, amphibians and insects, as well as wetland flora, have gradually recolonised the Étang. The wetland must be maintained regularly to preserve the diversity of its flora and fauna. The return of plants and animals is therefore linked to looking after their habitat: alongside the development of biodiversity, its preservation remains important.

Activities to help you plan

Tourist cycling routes and hiking trails are available for exploring Crotelles. They complement the cultural and natural attractions with two ways to get around. If you are planning your trip around the activities you want to do, cycling and hiking can be the main focus. If you are more interested in local history, the menhir and church offer specific points of interest; the Madelon and Étang Hidou draw attention to waterways and wetlands. This distinction can help you choose a destination that suits the purpose of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Chisseaux, Neuillé-Le-Lierre, La Riche, Savonnières, Panzoult, Montbazon, Ciran, Braye-Sous-Faye

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