La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir: Heritage, Loir and Wine

La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir can be explored through its waterways, heritage and wine: three arms of the Loir run through the town, historic buildings add their own character, and several offerings focus on the wines of the Loir Valley. When planning your trip, consider whether you would like to focus on riverside walks, architectural and local history, wine or a cultural programme. The places and activities below offer specific starting points.

Heritage and cultural programme

The Church of Saint Vincent is neoclassical in design and was built in 1830; its stained-glass windows date from the late 19th century. Since 8 October 2007, the church as a whole has been listed as a Monument historique. Its organ also has a history of its own: Henri Thébault built it specifically for this church in 1860. On 3 May 2022, it was listed as a movable cultural heritage item under the Monuments historiques; on 26 March 2023, it was fully classified. This makes it possible to distinguish chronologically between the building’s construction, the later windows and the organ’s protection status.

The Tour Jeanne d’Arc adds another perspective on local history: the medieval-style tower stands above the former feudal motte of the Château de La Chartre and houses a chapel commemorating those killed in the wars of the first half of the 20th century. The Musée de boutiques anciennes et cabinet de curiosités offers a different historical perspective. It recreates, among other things, a pharmacy, a milliner’s workshop and other former shops for visitors. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements.

The travelling cinema Cinéambul is also part of the cultural programme. It screens films in La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir every three weeks that have recently opened in French cinemas. As dates and schedules may change, it is advisable to check the current programme for your travel dates. The Maison du Tourisme et du Vignoble is located on the town’s central square.

The Loir, walks and activities on the water

The Loir is a tangible feature of the town: three of its arms run through La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir. The 9 km “Patrimoine et Bords du Loir” walking route leads through the town and offers a way to discover La Chartre and the many washhouses along the different arms of the Loir. This route description connects the town and its historic washhouses with the river, without requiring you to combine several separate destinations into a route yourself.

Various activities are available at the Plan d’eau de la Rougeraie. Fishing is possible from the bank; from 1 July, non-motorised boats and float tubes are also permitted. There is a pontoon, a slipway and picnic tables for anglers and walkers. Conditions for boating may change; check the current local regulations before your visit. It is also advisable to briefly confirm that the facilities mentioned are available before your visit.

For cycling trips, cycling loop No. 4, “La Vallée de la Dême”, is connected to La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir; check the latest route details before setting off. The “Au pays de Ronsard” trail starts in La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir. These two routes offer further options to consider when planning, without confusing them with the 9 km walk along the Loir.

Wine and your stay

La Maison “Voyages & Vignes” is an immersive experience centred on the wines of the Loir Valley. The offering there includes a tasting of up to six wines from a selection of 72 wines from around 20 wineries. The selection may change. The wine bar Le Jasnières offers a different setting: its menu features AOC Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir wines from various producers and vintages, served by the glass or bottle, accompanied by artisan-made rillettes on toast. This lets you choose between a tasting of several wines and a wine-bar selection served with food. As visiting arrangements may change, check them before making plans.

When choosing how to spend your stay in La Chartre-Sur-Le-Loir, you can weigh up specific interests: architectural and local history, a cultural event, a walk along the arms of the Loir or a focus on regional wines. The options also differ in how they need to be planned: for the travelling cinema, the screening dates matter, while at the Plan d’eau, the start date for boating and the local rules of use are important. If you check these details in advance, you can tailor your stay to the activities that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Cérans-Foulletourte, Saint-Ulphace, Pirmil, Ruillé-en-Champagne, Saint-Mars-Sous-Ballon, Crissé, Crannes-en-Champagne, Dureil.

For the wider travel overview: Sarthe.