Tournon-Saint-Martin brings together a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: whitewater activities, trails along the Creuse and Suin, and historic sites. You can focus your days on activities, scenery or heritage. A look at the specific offerings shows how varied a stay here can be—from water sports and routes on foot or by bike to historical stories.

Water sports and activities

The Stade d'eau vive is a whitewater course that can be adjusted and fitted with slalom gates. Activities include mini-rafting for groups of four to six, kayaking in rigid or inflatable kayaks, hydrospeed with fins, and stand-up paddleboarding on both calm and moving water. The range therefore includes different types of water sports, as well as calm-water activities.

Supervised beginner and advanced courses in kayaking, rafting, airboating and whitewater swimming are led by a state-certified instructor. If you would like to plan a guided session, you can consider these courses alongside the individual water sports. Another option for getting active is the freely accessible pump track in Tournon-Saint-Martin.

Trails through the landscape

The Voie Verte is a trail more than 70 kilometres long, reserved for cyclists and pedestrians. One section runs between Tournon-Saint-Martin and Le Blanc. There, the route first follows the Creuse beneath limestone cliffs, then climbs to a limestone plateau with low, orchid-rich grasslands. Along the shaded route of a former railway line, it also passes farmland and orchards on the way to Le Blanc. The description thus combines a river landscape and plateau with a former railway line.

Another cycling option is the 36-kilometre “Itinéraire vélo n° 6 – La vallée du Suin,” which can start at the water sports stadium in Tournon-Saint-Martin. The route links the ponds of the Brenne, running in particular through the Suin and Creuse valleys. Along the way, the route passes through rural landscapes, farmland and villages with well-preserved traditional buildings. Its stated length clearly distinguishes it from the Voie Verte, which is more than 70 kilometres long overall.

The “Balade à pied n° 65 – Entre Creuse et Suin” walking trail starts and ends in the municipality of Tournon-Saint-Martin. It first follows the Creuse, then leads into the Suin valley, known for its remarkable flora and wildlife.

The Chemin de l’Évêque can also be included in your trail plans from Tournon-Saint-Martin: hikers follow it in the direction of Tours. As route details may change, it is advisable to check the information before setting out.

Historic sites and local lore

The Château de Soudun overlooks the Creuse and was founded on the remains of an ancient Gallic fortress. The site may not be open to the public, so do not assume that a visit is possible; check in advance whether access is available. This keeps the history of the building separate from the possibility of visiting it.

Maison-Neuve was built in the 15th century. According to local tradition, the house hosted Joan of Arc for one night in 1429. This is a local legend, not a confirmed account of an overnight stay. Together, Château de Soudun and Maison-Neuve offer two distinct historical points of interest: a fortress with older origins and a 15th-century house associated with a story from 1429.

Discover more destinations: Chaillac, Parnac, Lye, La Châtre-Langlin, Saint-Gaultier, Luçay-le-Libre, Rosnay, Ciron.

View the broader travel guide: Indre.