Neuillay-Les-Bois: Church, Walking Trail and Fishing Ponds

Neuillay-Les-Bois brings together a Romanesque parish church and historic landmarks with a marked circular trail, a cycling route and fishing waters. When planning your stay, you can therefore choose between cultural history, walking, cycling and fishing. Each activity has its own focus: wetlands and woodland are the highlights of the circular trail, while the fishing ponds differ in size and type of fishing.

Church and historic traces

The Romanesque parish church of Saint-Hilaire was built in 1174. The main portal and Romanesque capitals have been preserved. The church is one of the sights featured in the Brenne regional excursions guide. Its construction date and surviving features offer two specific points of reference for the town's history: the year indicates when it was built, while the portal and capitals identify parts of the building that have been preserved.

A Roman road also passes through Neuillay-les-Bois. It runs between Argentomagus near Argenton-sur-Creuse and Orléans, known in antiquity as Genabum. The town's history therefore encompasses not only individual buildings but also a historic route connecting two clearly identified places.

The 15th-century manor house of La Ferrandière stands on the banks of the Claise. Towards Luant, Bois-Robert is documented from 1571; in 1898, a château was rebuilt there in place of the earlier building. The two dates relating to Bois-Robert should be distinguished: 1571 is the date of the historical record, while 1898 marks the château's reconstruction.

A circular trail through wetlands and woodland

The marked Circuit des étangs Neuf No. 44 is 10 km long and starts in Neuillay-les-Bois at the event area on the restaurant side. It passes through wetlands and wooded areas before reaching the Les Etangs Neufs fishing complex. Its length and starting point give you specific details for planning, and the landscape along the route is also clearly defined. As route conditions may change, check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Fishing at ponds with different profiles

Fishing is permitted at the municipal pond in Neuillay-les-Bois. Seasonal access details may change, so check them before your visit. The waters at the Les Etangs Neufs fishing complex also differ in size and fishing profile:

• Les Epinettes covers 4.6 hectares and is set up as a carp pond.
• Les Vinaires covers 2.5 hectares, is designated as a bassodrome and is home to a very large population of black bass.
• Les Fontaines covers 6.2 hectares and is intended for all types of fishing.

The area measurements and profiles make it easy to compare the ponds: Les Epinettes is geared towards carp, Les Vinaires towards black bass, while Les Fontaines is intended for all types of fishing. Since operational details and pond rules may change, check the current conditions before planning your fishing trip.

Cycling route and a waterside break

The 28 km cycling route Itinéraire vélo No. 12 – Balade champêtre en queue de Brenne passes through the Queue de Brenne countryside. It runs through fields, meadows and woodland, and can also be started in Neuillay-les-Bois. The two routes differ significantly in length: the circular trail is 10 km, while the cycling route is 28 km. Route details may be updated, so check the current route before setting off.

There are picnic tables alongside the route at the Route de Buzançais, next to the pond in Neuillay-les-Bois. This provides a specific place to take a break by the water. Together with the trails described and the fishing ponds with their different profiles, this gives you a choice of clearly defined activities when planning your trip, without having to focus on just one.

Discover more destinations: Chabris, Menetou-Sur-Nahon, Faverolles, Le Pêchereau, Rosnay, Varennes-sur-Fouzon, Tournon-Saint-Martin, La Perouille

For the wider travel overview: Indre.