Saint-Avertin combines château history with contemporary art, a diversity of trees and discoveries along the Cher. At the Domaine de Cangé, a historic building and an arboretum take centre stage; elsewhere, exhibitions and recurring festivals shape the cultural offering. For your planning, it is worth noting the differences: some experiences are tied to certain seasons, while others are available to visitors only on a specifically limited basis.
Château history and a diversity of trees at Cangé
The Château de Cangé was built in the 13th century and listed as a historic monument. During the Second World War, it housed President Albert Lebrun and the services of the Presidency of the Republic for five days. The château sits in a 15-hectare park on a hillside and gives the site a distinctive historical character.
The Domaine de Cangé also includes an arboretum open to the public: a landscaped collection of notable trees comprising around thirty specimens. A map guides visitors to the park’s nine most remarkable trees. The arboretum thus offers its own way to explore the diversity of trees, while the château’s history provides a different perspective on Cangé.
The galleries of the Limançon springs also tell the story of Saint-Avertin’s past. Until 1856, water from the springs supplied several fountains in Tours and a number of selected locations. The site has been owned by the municipality since 1996; the galleries can be visited during special opening times. Visits are therefore limited to these special openings.
Exhibitions and art in Saint-Avertin
L’Annexe is a municipal contemporary art centre in the Jardin des Rives. It holds a series of exhibitions every year. The recurring programme also includes talks, guided visits and workshops with artists; dates and events vary.
At the Domaine de Cangé, the L’Orangerie exhibition gallery mainly displays works by local artists. Many works are presented there free of charge to the public every year. Its focus on local artists sets the gallery apart from L’Annexe, which, as a contemporary art centre, offers a broader programme of events.
Annual festivals with different themes
The Festival des Horizons takes place free of charge every year at the Domaine de Cangé on the last weekend of June. For two days, concerts are held in front of the Château de Cangé. The festival also features food stalls and an arts and crafts village showcasing local creations. Check the dates and programme for each edition.
Nature en fête is an annual garden festival at the Domaine de Cangé. The programme includes a gourmet market, an organic market, arts and crafts stalls, and a wellness area. Dates, the programme and individual exhibitors vary from one edition to the next.
L’Intime Festival brings a different season to life: it has been held every year in winter since 2009, featuring intimate live performances by artists on stage. Saint-Avertin thus offers summer festival formats alongside a recurring winter festival, without implying that they share the same programme.
Walking, winemaking and nature
The Sentier du vieux Cher, Cangé is 8.4 kilometres long; a 2023 route guide gives a walking time of around two hours. The trail passes through meadows that serve as a migratory route for birds. Check current trail conditions before setting out. Nearby, a walking trail leads to the Bois des Hâtes, whose wildlife park is home to deer and old, notable oak trees.
Winemaking is also part of Saint-Avertin’s landscape: it continues on the slopes, where Touraine wines such as Noble Joué AOC are produced. Local wine traditions and walking trails thus complement the area’s historical and cultural attractions, without defining the same focus for a stay.
Along the Cher: guinguette and cycle route
Port-Avertin – Guinguette de Saint-Avertin offers free concerts and open-air cinema; its seasonal programme may vary. The guinguette also provides small boats for trips along an arm of the Cher. Their seasonal availability may differ, so it is advisable to check in advance.
The Au bord du Cher – Boucle vélo de la Métropole de Tours No. 5 cycling loop passes by the guinguette. Route information may be updated, so check it before your ride. This makes the guinguette a destination on a cycling loop, while small-boat trips offer another way to experience the Cher.
Discover more destinations: Amboise, Truyes, Autrèche, Ingrandes-De-Touraine, Parçay-Meslay, Cinais, Fondettes, Candes-Saint-Martin.
For the wider travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
