Dolus-Le-Sec: Heritage and Nature

Dolus-Le-Sec combines cultural history with natural features and activities connected with rural life. At the heart of the village centre stands the Church of Saint-Venant; other architectural landmarks include the Manoir du Puy, the Château de l’Epinay and the Bollée wind turbine. Protected areas and woodland habitats shape the natural landscape in the south. There are also activities involving horse riding, goat’s cheese and farm shops. When planning your trip, you can focus on architectural history, nature or regional produce.

Heritage and Architectural History

The nave of the Church of Saint-Venant, its main longitudinal space, probably dates from the 11th century. The Manoir du Puy is a private manor house with construction phases dating from the 15th century and the late 17th century. It is partially listed as a Monument historique; its façades and roofs have been protected since 3 August 1976. The manor house is considered abandoned.

The Château de l’Epinay was built in the 18th century and shows signs of alterations made between 1925 and 1930. This makes it possible to distinguish the original construction period from later interventions. Another architectural feature is the Pigeonnier de l’Epinay, a substantial round tower with nesting niches for pigeons made from perforated egg-shaped ceramic vessels. The pigeon tower is not visible from public spaces.

The Bollée wind turbine was built in 1897 and fully restored. Together with the nave, which probably dates from the 11th century, and the later construction phases of the Manoir du Puy, it represents a broad range of historical dates. The buildings illustrate different aspects of architectural history: dating, alteration, protected status and restoration.

Landscape and Nature

In the south, the municipal area overlaps with the Champeigne bird protection area, ZPS FR2410022. The ecological description from April 2016 identifies Champeigne as a habitat for notable bird species of open landscapes. Species have been observed nesting there; other notable species use the area for overwintering. The species present may vary with the seasons.

The southern woodlands form a continuous forest area that extends beyond the municipal boundary. They provide nesting habitat for many bird species, most of which are protected at the national level. Roe deer, red deer and wild boar also live there. The bird protection area and the woodland therefore represent different ecological priorities: open-country birds on the one hand, and nesting birds and larger wild animals in the forest on the other.

Horse Riding and Regional Produce

Ecuries de Montifray offers trail rides, riding lessons all year round, holiday courses, vaulting and equine ethology. The facilities include a large indoor riding arena, an outdoor riding arena and pony accommodation. As the activities on offer may change, check in advance which ones are currently available.

EARL Le Cabras makes all its cheeses exclusively from the raw milk of its own goats, using a traditional, entirely artisanal method. Visitors can learn about the goat farm and the production of Saint-Maure-de-Touraine cheese; visits must be confirmed in advance.

The Ferme de Belêtre sells bread, flour, beer, infusions and products from neighbouring producers at the farm. The selection may vary. The two offerings differ for planning purposes: Belêtre has a farm shop with a changing selection, while Le Cabras specialises in goat’s cheese and—once confirmed—offers an insight into the farm and its production.

Discover more destinations: Richelieu, Ligueil, Dame-Marie-Les-Bois, Ballan-Miré, Le Boulay, Semblançay, Assay, Saint-Ouen-Les-Vignes

For the wider travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.