Saint-Claude-De-Diray: Fountains, History and Routes

Saint-Claude-De-Diray combines local history with marked trails and traces of agriculture. Fountains, historic buildings and routes offer different perspectives on the commune. If you are looking for hotels in Saint-Claude-De-Diray, it helps to have a clear idea of what you want your stay to focus on: architectural history, walking, the “Loire à Vélo” cycle route or the local yam-growing tradition.

Fountains and historic landmarks

The church of Saint-Claude-De-Diray has listed baptismal fonts dating from the 17th century. Fountains are another part of the area’s history: there are around forty throughout the commune, some of them privately owned. Around fifteen fountains can be seen along the roads, including in the hamlet of Morest. One neighbourhood fountain still has its pump. The two figures have different scopes: around forty fountains are counted across the commune, while the figure of around fifteen refers to those visible along roads.

Architectural history in Nozieux

Only vaulted cellars and private outbuildings remain of the château in Nozieux, built in the 17th century. Two of its nine corner pavilions are still standing. Nozieux is also home to a 15th-century residence with cross-mullioned windows. In this type of window, vertical and horizontal bars divide the opening in the shape of a cross. The residence formerly served as a post station and is privately owned. In terms of age, it predates the château: the house dates from the 15th century, and the château from the 17th century. The examples also differ in the features that have survived: parts of the château and its pavilions in one case, the window design and former use in the other.

Numerous tobacco drying sheds remain visible in Saint-Claude-De-Diray today. They were built to hang tobacco on strings and dry it. The sheds therefore point to a specific step in tobacco growing in the past. Their function gives these buildings a distinct agricultural connection, alongside the residential and château buildings.

Walking and cycling

Saint-Claude-De-Diray has three marked circular trails, measuring 12 km, 8 km and 5.5 km. The 5.5 km route is the shortest, the 12 km route the longest, and the 8 km loop falls in between. If you want to choose the length of a walk by distance, these three figures provide a direct comparison. A local circular route reaches the Loire and follows it for 2.8 km. The “Circuit Découverte” passes through hidden paths and two wooded sections in Saint-Claude-De-Diray. The commune is also on a route of the “Loire à Vélo” cycle route. Signboards for the “Histoire au fil des rues®” trail can also be found in the commune.

Yam growing and vineyards

Yam growing is one of Saint-Claude-De-Diray’s local resources and is celebrated every year. It is therefore both an agricultural activity and the occasion for an annual celebration. The vineyards just outside Saint-Claude-De-Diray are part of the AOC Cheverny production area. The geographical distinction is clear: yam growing is a local resource of the commune, while the vineyards lie just outside the town.

Discover more destinations: Cormeray, Châteauvieux, Villerable, Vallières-Les-Grandes, Saint-Léonard-En-Beauce, Renay, Cellettes, Couture-Sur-Loir.

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