Discover Clion: Walking Trail and Cultural Heritage

When planning a stay in Clion, specific interests are a helpful starting point. “Mon Herbier Châtillonnais” combines an easy walk with a botanical theme. The Church of Sainte-Colombe in Clion-sur-Indre brings together historic architecture and religious art; the Château de l’Isle-Savary offers a further perspective on older architecture. Karting and the products of Marguer’Ice can be considered separate areas of interest.

Walking Trail and Karting

The “Mon Herbier Châtillonnais” route is a walking trail in Clion-sur-Indre that focuses on the plant life of hedgerows and country lanes. It is rated as an easy walk and is 3.5 kilometres long. The route passes through fields and along paths that are mostly lined with centuries-old hedgerows. A detour to the Ruisseau de Murs lets you discover plants from damp or aquatic habitats. The detour to the stream thus broadens the botanical focus to include damp or aquatic habitats, while hedgerows and country lanes make up the rest of the route’s focus.

The Circuit de l’Indre offers karting courses for children aged 6 to 14, as well as recreational karting sessions open to everyone. Unlike the easy, 3.5-kilometre walk, the focus here is on karting rather than walking distance. The activities also differ in format: the course is for a specific age group, while the recreational sessions are open to everyone.

Products and Visitor Activities

Since 2011, Marguer’Ice has made farmhouse ice cream from raw milk produced on site, as well as sorbets. The recipes use local and seasonal ingredients and contain no artificial colourings or flavourings. The offering includes free tastings and an activity workshop; availability may vary. So check in advance whether a tasting or workshop is available on the date of your visit. This lets you consider the products’ characteristics and the visitor activities as two distinct aspects of your interest in Marguer’Ice.

Architecture and Art in Clion-sur-Indre

The Château de l’Isle-Savary was built in the 16th century on an artificial island in the Indre. Its façade can be seen from the paths along the Indre and from Clion-sur-Indre’s main bridge. The island setting and the viewpoints described here represent two different aspects of the building: its historic location and the places from which its façade can be seen.

The Church of Sainte-Colombe in Clion-sur-Indre dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. It has a Gothic chapel known as “De Varye”. The church also contains a stone Pietà from the 15th century. A stained-glass window depicts Saint Columba of Sens standing upright, dressed in ancient clothing and beneath an architectural canopy. A bear accompanies her, and her attributes are a dove and the martyr’s palm. The church thus brings together several distinct art forms: chapel architecture, a stone sculpture and an image-rich stained-glass window.

Discover more destinations: Lignac, Verneuil-sur-Igneraie, Roussines, Pruniers, Bonneuil, Luçay-Le-Mâle, Tournon-Saint-Martin, La Chapelle-Sur-Loire

For the broader travel overview: Indre.