Mesland: Church, Wine and the Loire Valley Châteaux Route

Mesland combines architectural history with winegrowing and a landscape shaped by water. The Église Notre-Dame and the Grange de la Perdrière showcase different architectural details. There is also the “Les Buttes de Mesland” walking route, wine tastings at local wineries, and Mesland’s location on the Loire Valley châteaux route. You can tailor your stay to culture, outdoor activities or regional wine.

Église Notre-Dame: Building History and Portal

The Église Notre-Dame de Mesland was founded in 1060. Its nave has a single aisle; the chancel is narrower and ends in a flat termination. A single-aisle nave is a main space without side aisles. The different widths of the nave and chancel, together with the flat termination, are specific features of the church’s layout. The foundation date places the church in its historical context, while the details about the nave and chancel describe its spatial arrangement.

The portal dates from the 12th century. It features concentric round-arched archivolts and sculpted capitals with griffins and grimacing heads. Round-arched archivolts are the arched mouldings of a portal; capitals form the upper part of columns or piers. The portal therefore displays two distinct decorative elements: the repeated round arches and the figural ornament. Since 16 September 1946, the portal has been partially protected as a historic monument.

The Grange de la Perdrière

Another architectural highlight is the Grange de la Perdrière. Its roof structure, in the style of Philibert Delorme, dates from the late 18th century. By decree of 1 March 1989, the Grange was partially listed as a historic monument.

Water, Nature and Walking

The Petite Cisse runs through Mesland, and the village has numerous springs. A spring at the foot of the village has been made into a communal washhouse. The river and springs add a landscape perspective to the architectural history and provide another local focal point.

If you would like to explore on foot, you can take the “Les Buttes de Mesland” walking route. It starts at the church car park and is marked by FFRandonnée 41. The church car park is therefore a clearly identified starting point for the route. Mesland also lies at the edge of the asp’s range—another aspect of the area’s natural environment.

Wine and the Loire Valley Châteaux Route

Winegrowing in Mesland is part of the Touraine-Mesland d’Origine Contrôlée appellation, which has existed since 1955. You can taste these wines at wineries in Mesland. If you are planning a wine tasting, check the options directly with the wineries.

Mesland is on the Loire Valley châteaux tourist route between Chambord and Chenonceau. Chaumont-sur-Loire, with its famous gardens, is nearby. The local mix of architectural history, walking and wine thus connects the village’s own character with a wider regional theme.

Discover more destinations: Vineuil, Chaon, La Ville-Aux-Clercs, Fortan, Chaumont-Sur-Loire, Bourre, Villexanton, Saint-Ouen.

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