Explore Tendu through its architectural history and walking and cycling routes. There is an important current restriction to consider when planning your walk: the yellow-marked PR trail “Au fil de la Bouzanne” is temporarily impassable at the bridge in Tendu, which is currently under repair. An official detour is in place, and the route markings have been adjusted.

Church and medieval architecture

The Église Saint-Étienne de Tendu is a remarkable 12th-century Romanesque building. The Château de Mazières dates from the 15th century, and the Donjon de Prunget from the 14th century. The three buildings differ both in age and form: the church, the château with its keep, and the surviving donjon each make their own architectural statement.

On the left bank of the Bouzanne, the Château de Mazières stands beside a meadow that slopes down to the river. Its imposing square keep has six floors. Small turrets project from corbels at all four upper corners.

Prunget originally formed part, together with Chabenet, of one of the most powerful feudal castles guarding the crossing of the Bouzanne. The surviving donjon dates from the 14th century and rises seven floors above the river. Buttresses reinforce its walls. It also has machicolations and a small watchtower at each corner of its uppermost level. The relationship with the Bouzanne differs in each case: at Mazières, the left bank and the meadow sloping down to the river shape the setting; at Prunget, guarding the crossing was part of the castle’s historic role.

Tendu is considered particularly representative of the natural and historical richness of the classified Vallée de la Bouzanne site. This site stretches from Pont-Chrétien-Chabenet to Velles.

Hiking, cycling and a summer festival

“Au fil de la Bouzanne” is a hiking trail in Tendu, rated difficult, with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. Cycle route No. 7, “Le Val de Bouzanne,” is 41 kilometres long and includes a section through Tendu. The route description was updated on 19 March 2026. The routes offer different points of reference for planning: for the hike, the difficulty and estimated duration are key; for the cycle route, the total distance and the section through Tendu. Because the bridge repairs are ongoing and a detour is in place, check trail conditions before setting off.

La Médiévale de Tendu is a medieval festival held every summer. It is organised by associations in the commune of Tendu in collaboration with the town hall. If the festival is a reason for your trip, check the exact date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lye, Rosnay, Jeu-Maloches, Giroux, Luant, Azay-Le-Ferron, Oulches, Maillet.

For the broader travel overview: Indre.