Savonnières offers several ways to explore the area during your stay: two signposted walking trails, the Loire à Vélo route along the Cher, and boat trips departing from the town. Other attractions include the church, with its long building history, and the former tuffeau quarries of the Grottes Pétrifiantes. Each option has a different focus—from route length to riverside scenery to architecture—giving you several ways to plan your outings.
On foot: two trail lengths and a panorama
Savonnières has two signposted walking trails: one is 6 km long and the other 12 km. If you want to choose a walk based on distance, these two routes offer a clear choice. Another hiking destination is the Sentier des Cent-Marches, which offers panoramic views of the Loire and the Cher. Here, the views of both rivers take centre stage. You can consider the two distance-specific trails and the path explicitly associated with its panorama according to your interests, without combining them into a single route.
Cycling route and loop at the confluence
The Loire à Vélo cycling route runs along the Cher in Savonnières and is signposted in both directions here. Another route option is the Confluence Loire et Cher – Circuit No. 14 loop. It is completely flat, connects to the Loire à Vélo at the village of Savonnières, and leads to Plage du bout du monde at the confluence of the Loire and Cher. The two routes have different features: the Loire à Vélo is signposted in both directions in Savonnières, while the loop is described as flat, connected to the cycling route, and leading to a specific destination at the confluence. You can therefore choose based on whether signposting or the described loop and its particular destination matters more to you.
Boat trips and activities on the water
The bypass channel at the Savonnières weir makes it easier to enjoy water sports. Bateliers du Cher build and maintain traditional boats. They also offer one- to two-hour trips from Savonnières aboard traditional 18th- and 19th-century boats. The boats used are the Toue PUCELLE, the Pillard GAILLARD, and the Charière BELLE PASSANTE. A boat trip is a distinct time slot in your daily plans; check the booking details before travelling. Unlike the walking trails, the trips are described by duration, while the two trails are distinguished by their respective lengths of 6 and 12 km. This makes it easy to choose activities according to their different time and distance requirements.
Church, tuffeau stone and views of the Cher
The church of Savonnières is fully listed as a historic monument. The present building dates from the early 12th century and was built from local tuffeau stone. It also has 19th-century stained-glass windows depicting the martyrdom of Saints Gervasius and Protasius. Two different historical periods therefore come together in one building: the early date of the present structure and the later stained-glass windows.
The Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières offer a different point of interest: these former tuffeau quarries are open to the public. The features at Clos de la Cure offer views of the river. If you want to plan a trip around heritage and landscape, these provide further specific points of interest alongside the trails and water activities.
Plan your walks and stay
The municipality of Savonnières organises two walking events every year, one in April and one in October. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these events, check the dates before travelling. It is also worth considering what you want to focus on when choosing your outings: the walking trails are distinguished by distance, the boat trips by duration, and the No. 14 loop by its flat route and destination at the confluence.
If you are considering Savonnières as a place to stay overnight, you can plan your days around these different interests: walking trails and river routes, a trip with Bateliers du Cher, or architecture and tuffeau stone. You do not have to fit in everything during your stay. Choose the outings that match your interests, and check the dates of the annual walks and the relevant booking details for boat trips.
Discover more destinations: Epeigné-Les-Bois, Le Boulay, Saint-Pierre-Des-Corps, Reugny, Neuvy-Le-Roi, Amboise, Preuilly-Sur-Claise, Marcilly-Sur-Vienne.
For the broader travel overview: Indre-Et-Loire.
