Wandering around Beaulieu-lès-Loches, Centre-Loire Valley France

Описание: We visited Beaulieu-lès-Loches in September 2022, a delightful small town that is located a stone's throw from the royal city of Loches, in the heart of South Touraine. The two neighbouring towns are separated only by the Prairies du Roy, which hosts the major art installations of the Beaux Lieux festival every year. The Romanesque spire of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul abbey church is 63 metres high and was recently restored. It is in many ways the symbol of Beaulieu-lès-Loches. It is also the starting point for a visit to the former abbey, with its very well preserved buildings. This Petite Cité de Caractère has a rich and varied heritage, a real invitation to take a walk. Whether you are a lover of nature, architecture or arts and crafts, Beaulieu-lès-Loches is full of treasures to discover.

Beaulieu-lès-Loches developed around the Benedictine abbey built by Foulques Nerra, also founder of the keep of Loches and the fortress of Montbazon, and whose burial is still in Beaulieu today. Its large bell tower, 64 m high, was the subject of a major reconstruction project, completed in 2019. Built entirely in stone in the 12th century, the restorations carried out between 2016 and 2019 allowed it to regain its whiteness and its splendor of yesteryear. The many details found there, and in particular the sculpted modillions, give it all its originality. The old Saint-Laurent church, located a few steps from the abbey church, hosts contemporary art exhibitions throughout the summer, which allow you to appreciate the special atmosphere of this place. Its Angevin vaults give a very special acoustics to the monument, which can be enjoyed every year during the Sonates d'Automne festival.

As you stroll through the streets of the city, you can meet one of the many craftsmen who have settled in Beaulieu. They are brought together and showcased during events across the city such as the European Arts and Crafts Days or the "Les Rues des Arts" artistic course. The Maison des Templiers, with its superb vaults, hosts a shop where you can buy the creations of these craftsmen, as well as a workshop to learn about these artistic professions.

Beaulieu-lès-Loches is built between a hill and the Indre valley. Nature therefore occupies a very special place. The Prairies du Roy connect Loches and Beaulieu thanks to a bucolic pedestrian path. This Sensitive Natural Area, often flooded in winter, is home to flora and fauna typical of wetlands. This pleasant walk continues along the water, along the Beaulieu canal.

The Prairies du Roy are the gateway to the open-air exhibition Beaux Lieux. It presents works of contemporary art along a route that surveys both natural spaces as well as the heritage points of interest of the city. As you walk, you will see witnesses of the past, natural spaces and contemporary creations come together.

Beaulieu-lès-Loches is a municipality that knows how to bring its natural heritage to life. Witness the small gardens of Beaulieu, installed on the site of the former Viantaises convent. These shared gardens, full of poetry and charm, are a real invitation to tranquility. They are also neighbors of the Moulin des Mécaniciens, which can be visited during exceptional open days, in particular in June during the Days of the Patrimony of the Country and of the Mills.