Les Ormes: Cultural History and Walks

Les Ormes brings together architectural and intellectual history with walking routes and a themed treasure hunt. Its sights and activities each offer a different focus.

Cultural History in Les Ormes

The market hall on Place de l’Église dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and has been listed as a historic monument since March 26, 1934. The present-day church is also a landmark in its own right: it is designed in the Neo-Byzantine style and was consecrated in 1896.

Château des Ormes is a 17th-century château that welcomes visitors. During the Age of Enlightenment, the Académie des Ormes was established there, with Voltaire among those who took part in its intellectual exchange. The estate also includes a vaulted ice house built by the architect Vétault in 1807. Together, the château, academy, and ice house offer insights into different aspects of the estate’s history—from its architecture to the intellectual exchange of the Enlightenment.

La Poste aux Chevaux

La Poste aux Chevaux has been protected as a historic monument since 1994. The complex forms a large quadrangle around a courtyard, with a paved horse bath at its center. The exhibition presents old documents and objects related to the history of post stations and travel. Confirm before your visit whether the exhibition will be available during your stay.

The visitor experiences also offer distinct highlights: visitors can take an audio tour around the basin and enter the Grand Stable. These activities are subject to the operator’s conditions. The architecture and exhibition thus combine views of the courtyard with the history of travel and post stations.

Hiking, Treasure Hunt, and Park

The Balade Ormoise – Circuit No. 25 is an easy 12.2-kilometer circular hike, estimated to take about three hours. It starts and ends in Les Ormes. The distance and approximate duration provide a guide for planning your time; trail conditions may change.

Tèrra Aventura offers a different kind of activity: À cheval sur les mots… This free treasure hunt is available year-round, open to everyone, and suitable for ages six and up. Its 2.5-kilometer route passes through historic lanes and offers views of the river. Compared with the 12.2-kilometer Balade Ormoise, the route is shorter and combines exercise with a treasure hunt and glimpses of the townscape.

At Parc de la Mairie, visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll among cork oaks, Atlas cedars, and araucarias. This offers a range of ways to spend time outdoors: the longer hiking circuit, the treasure hunt through historic lanes, and the walk in the park.

Visiting and Getting There

Château des Ormes can be visited on a guided tour and by prior appointment only. Confirm this visiting requirement before you travel. Châtellerault is the nearest train station to Château des Ormes; from there, the château is a 15-minute drive away. Check your route before setting off.

Discover More Destinations

Nalliers, Antigny, Saint-Gervais-les-Trois-Clochers, Iteuil, La Trimouille, La Roche-Posay, Curçay-Sur-Dive, Bournand

For the main travel overview: Vienne.