La Croix-En-Touraine: Church, Garden and Cycling Route

La Croix-En-Touraine: Heritage, Garden and Trails

When planning a trip to La Croix-En-Touraine, you can choose from several interests: Romanesque architecture, pilgrimage history, garden culture, walking and cycling. The Church of Saint-Quentin-des-Prés, Parc Édouard André, the area around Étang des Trois Merlettes and the picnic area on the Cher each offer different themes and activities. This lets you decide whether you are more interested in a historic building, a landscaped park, walks and picnics, or a stop along a cycling route. A designated walking route adds specific details on distance, difficulty and walking time to these options.

The Church of Saint-Quentin-des-Prés and Its History

The Church of Saint-Quentin-des-Prés is an example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture. It was originally built as a chapel for pilgrims on the Way of St. James. Both its construction date and its earlier role in pilgrimage are part of its history. The church also houses a 15th-century polychrome stone Pietà, which was restored in 2016. The building and the artwork point to different periods: the Pietà was created centuries after the Romanesque architecture, and its restoration is a more recent event in its own right. Those interested in religious architecture can consider the church’s architecture, pilgrimage history and artwork as distinct aspects.

Parc Édouard André: Natural Area and Garden Art

Parc Édouard André is designated as a sensitive natural area and has been open to the public since November 2003. Opening arrangements may vary seasonally; check them before your visit. The park and buildings together bear the “Maison des Illustres” heritage label. The grounds include nine plots in a French garden and a themed rose garden. The park therefore brings together several different features: its designation as a natural area, recognition of the ensemble as heritage, and the garden design. For visitors interested in landscaped outdoor spaces, the plots and rose garden offer particular points of interest.

Footpaths, Walks and Picnics

Jardin du Bien-être is located on the grounds of La Vignerie. You can reach it on foot via Rue de la Vignerie or via a footpath that starts at the Les Longerons sports complex. These are two specific ways to reach the garden on foot. As route details may change, check the route before setting out. The area around Étang des Trois Merlettes is also suitable for walks and picnics. For the garden, the footpath access points provide a starting point for planning; around the pond, walks and picnics are the main activities. You can choose between the two options based on what you are looking for.

Walking Route with a Stated Time Estimate

The walking route “A la croisée de la campagne, des vignes et des pâturages” in La Croix-En-Touraine is 11.5 kilometres long and rated easy. The route brochure published in 2025 gives a walking time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The distance, difficulty and walking time help you estimate the scope of this walk and plan how long it will take. If you are planning the route now, check the route and details locally. Unlike the general walks described around Étang, this walk is an option with specific distance and time details.

Cycling Route and Picnic Area on the Cher

A picnic area on the Cher is located along the Cher à vélo cycling route; access by car is via Rue de Finispont. This names two different ways of approaching the area: the cycling route for planning a trip by bike, and the road access via Rue de Finispont for arriving by car. If you plan to stop here during a bike ride, you can look for the Cher à vélo route; if arriving by car, Rue de Finispont is the stated access road. As access conditions may change, check the details before your trip.

Discover More Destinations: Paulmy, Beaumont-En-Véron, Sainte-Maure-De-Touraine, Luzé, Rouziers-de-Touraine, Tournon-Saint-Pierre, Rigny-Ussé, Céré-La-Ronde.

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