Chailles: Châteaux, Church and Walking Routes

There are several specific options for a stay in Chailles: the architectural history of two private châteaux, the Église Saint-Martin, two named walking routes and a place to eat that is open in connection with events. If you are looking for a hotel in Chailles, you can plan your stay according to whether you want to explore historic architecture, go for a walk or take an event date into account. The historical information differs considerably: the châteaux are associated with listed architectural features and visible traces of fortifications, while the church has features dating from different centuries.

Châteaux and Historical Traces

The seigneury of Château du Plessis-Villelouet is mentioned from the 14th century onward. Listed as a historic monument are the château’s façades and roofs, the entire chapel, the four buildings of the model farm, and the dairy and its rustic grotto. The mention of the seigneury and the listing relate to different aspects: the historical connection dating from the 14th century and specific named buildings and features of the estate.

At Château de la Pigeonnière, the façades and roofs of the library, including its interior, as well as three Louis XIII-style fireplaces, are listed as historic monuments. In addition, remnants of an earlier fortified castle are still visible in the course of the moats and the layout of four round and square towers. Château de la Pigeonnière is privately owned. Two types of historical traces can therefore be seen side by side: the listed parts of the library and the fireplaces, and visible evidence of the former fortifications. Château de la Pigeonnière is also a waypoint on the “Rando Chailles – La Chesnaie” walk.

Church and Walking Routes

The Église Saint-Martin de Chailles offers a different perspective on time. Its oldest elements date from the 13th century; the church was altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. The choir’s wood panelling dates from the 17th century. Thus, a single building brings together features from several centuries: early elements, later alterations and choir furnishings with a more precise date. The dates refer to different components and phases, not to a single construction period for the entire church.

Two specific differences can help you choose a route. The “Rando Chailles – La Chesnaie” walk passes the privately owned Château de la Pigeonnière. The “Les Châteaux et forêt de Chaille” route passes through the Forêt Domaniale de Russy. On the first route, the château is a waypoint; on the second, the forest is part of the route. This lets you choose between a connection to château history and a route through the forest without treating the two walks as the same.

Practical Information

Le Train Vert, La Chesnaie’s association-run restaurant, is open before every event. If you would like to eat there, take the event date into account and check the date in advance; dining there is tied to events.

For motorhomes and self-contained vans, municipal rules dated 30 July 2022 provide for year-round parking at the CAMPING-CAR-PARK site in Chailles. According to these rules, the site has 20 pitches and a service point for refilling water and emptying grey and black water. Confirm capacity before basing your plans on it, and check the operating conditions before including the site in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Prunay-Cassereau, Châteauvieux, Cheverny, Lignières, Sainte-Anne, Authon, Ouchamps, Lamotte-Beuvron.

For the broader travel overview: Loir-Et-Cher.