Manthelan: Carnival, Local History and Leisure

A trip to Manthelan can be built around several clearly distinct themes: the Carnaval de Manthelan and its place in the carnival calendar, historic buildings and works of art, and the Espace de l'Echandon nature and leisure area. When planning, it is useful to distinguish between a stay centered on the festival and a trip motivated by an interest in local history or leisure activities.

The carnival as a reason to visit

The Carnaval de Manthelan was officially founded in 1869 and traditionally takes place on the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday. The event date therefore follows the carnival calendar. If you want to travel to Manthelan for the parade, check the date for the relevant year before booking your stay. The parade features around ten giant papier-mâché floats, up to six metres tall. They are often motorised, and bands and brass bands from across France accompany the parade.

Local history in buildings and details

The old house at 11 Rue Nationale dates from the 15th century, was remodelled in 1626, and served as the town hall in the 19th century. Its history thus spans its original construction, a specific renovation, and a later municipal function. If you are interested in the development of the town, this sequence of details provides a clear historical framework.

A stained-glass window created by Lobin in Manthelan’s church depicts the martyrdom of Saint Barbara. This offers a different perspective on cultural history from the chronology of the old house: the window focuses on the event depicted, while the old house’s story centres on its construction, renovation, and former role as the town hall.

These two subjects can help you choose a cultural focus: if you are more interested in architectural changes, the old house offers a timeline; if religious art appeals to you, the window is clearly identified by its subject and artist.

When the Fontaine Saint-Martin was uncovered a few years ago, a perforated limestone basin came to light. Nearby, several large, carefully hewn stones lie in the clear water. The fountain therefore combines the story of its uncovering with the specific features of a basin, water, and worked stone.

The former presbytery has a 60-are garden, where a centuries-old cedar of Lebanon stands. The garden and tree add a landscape detail to the architectural and art history. They offer two different scales: the garden as a whole and one individual, centuries-old tree.

Nature and leisure at the Espace de l'Echandon

The Espace de l'Echandon combines a nature area with a pond where fishing is permitted, a children’s playground, and a pump track. This brings together different interests: water and fishing, play, and physical activity. This is a different focus from the carnival: there, a Sunday event is the main reason to visit; here, the emphasis is on several leisure activities in a nature area.

Discover more destinations: Chisseaux, Sorigny, Saint-Laurent-De-Lin, Preuilly-Sur-Claise, Sainte-Catherine-De-Fierbois, Avoine, Bossay-Sur-Claise, La Croix-En-Touraine.

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