Let yourself be enveloped by the timeless charm of the village of Candes-Saint-Martin! A former fishing and inland waterway port, you'll be won over by its picturesque lanes, beautiful tufa stone houses and peaceful atmosphere on the banks of the Loire.
Here's our guide to the must-see places in the village of Candes-Saint-Martin in Indre-et-Loire, and some useful tips for planning your visit.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
1. Enjoy the peace and quiet along the river
The first thing we did when we arrived in the village of Candes-Saint-Martin was enjoy the quays! The traditional boats moored here create a timeless atmosphere. This terribly soothing place made us want to stay and dream for a while.
2. Admire the panorama from the top of the village
The village of Candes-Saint-Martin stands proudly at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers. It's also possible to see the river meet the river from a high vantage point. To get there, simply follow the Panorama signs from the village and take the easy 10-minute road. Take a moment to admire this Unesco World Heritage Loire landscape!
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Discover the Collégiale Saint-Martin
Dating back to the 4th century, the Collégiale Saint-Martin is a famous place of pilgrimage, visited by many kings of France. Listed as a historic monument since 1840, the building is worth a visit for its striking facade. Take time to admire its richly sculpted decor, remarkable statuary, open porch and defensive towers. Even after leaving the collegiate church, you'll find its atypical silhouette all over the village!
Inside, you won't be left out, with the beautiful Gothic nave, the choir's magnificent stained glass windows dedicated to the life of Saint Martin, not to mention the Saint Martin chapel, where the saint's tomb is on display.
- Opening hours: Every day from 8.45am to 7pm (except service times, which can be found on the parish websitehere).
- Price: Free
- You can book guided tours on the Amis de Candes-Saint-Martin website here
4. Stroll through the narrow streets
We were won over by the architectural unity of the village, which is particularly well preserved. You'll also appreciate the magnificent contrast between the slate roofs and the white tufa walls. Finally, take the time to stroll through the medieval streets, which will reveal their charming nooks and crannies only after a while.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
5. Spend the night in the village
If you want to enjoy the charm of the village for longer, we recommend staying at Château de Candes.
Nicknamed the Château-Neuf (in contrast to the 15th-century Château-Vieux, former summer residence of the Archbishops of Tours), it was built in the 19th century and now houses a charming hotel. In addition to a swimming pool, a spa including a troglodyte massage room, and 5 hectares of parkland, Château de Candes boasts a breathtaking view of the village and the Collegiate Church.
Book your dream room at Château de Candes now!
Need more inspiration for staying at a Château de Loire? Discover our selection of 5 unforgettable hotels in our article.
6. Passing under the Feudal Bridge
Once part of the ramparts that surrounded the town in the 13th century, the bridge and its remains can be discovered along rue de la Douve and rue des Perrières, which follow it. It's impossible not to be touched as you pass through this tunnel of centuries-old stone! Once on the other side, you'll be able to capture memorable photos of this captivating heritage landscape.
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7. Find nuggets among craftsmen
If we love strolling through the beautiful villages of our regions, we're all the happier when we see them bustling with life! And Candes-Saint-Martin can count on its craftsmen (perfumers, cutlers, seamstresses, etc.) to delight you with their original creations. It's enough to take home a few gifts!
Find out more about the artisans on the official village website here.
8. Pique your curiosity at the Musée d'art urbain
What could be more iconoclastic than locating an urban art museum in a small country village? The owners of Château de Candes are determined to open up the art world and give visibility to street art, which is still too little recognized. Your visit will take place outdoors, in the 4.5-hectare park, for a captivating, colorful immersion in contemporary art.
- Opening hours: April 27 to December 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Price: €7 (full price)/ €5 (reduced price)/ Free (under 6)
- See the latest news on the official website here
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Other things to do in and around Candes-Saint-Martin
We've listed our must-sees, but as you wander around the village, you'll find many other hidden corners and listed monuments, such as..:
- Le Château-Vieux
- La Tour d'Aubigny
- Hôtel de la Prévôté
- The Garrison House
- La Maison des Quatre Curés
- La Porte de Torché
Note that each of the heritage features is accompanied by an explanatory label to give you some historical information. So you can easily spot them in the village streets!
On the way to the panorama, we also enjoyed discovering the ruins of an old mill (photo below).
Finally, it's impossible to talk about Candes-Saint-Martin without mentioning the adjacent village of Montsoreau. Also a "Plus Beau Village de France" (Most Beautiful Village in France), it offers a completely different experience. In the château, you'll have the chance to discover a 2,500m2 contemporary art trail!
Save time and book your ticket for the Château de Montsoreau visit here.
If you have all day, we recommend combining the two visits. It's even possible to walk between the two villages!
Find a heritage trail on the territory's website here.
Is the village of Candes-Saint-Martin worth a visit?
Definitely, yes! It's one of our 12 favourite Loire villages!
A visit offers a timeless experience, with its beautiful tufa stone houses, soothing quaysides and incredible collegiate church standing proudly in the heart of its medieval streets. Candes-Saint-Martin, classified as one of France's most beautiful villages, is sure to win you over too!
How to get to Candes-Saint-Martin + parking
Where is Candes-Saint-Martin
- In the Centre-Val-de-Loire region
- Chinon = 20min drive
- Saumur = 20min drive
- Tours = 1h drive
How to get there
You can go to Candes-Saint-Martin:
- By car: The village is well served by the D952 and D145. For a theatrical arrival, we recommend taking the départementale 7, which takes you across the Pont de Candes-Saint-Martin, offering an incredible view of the village.
- By bike: The village is also accessible from the legendary Loire à Vélo cycle route (official website here). From Saumur, for example, the journey takes 1 hour and is almost exclusively along the Loire.
Find out all our tips for making the most of the Loire à Vélo!
Parking in Candes-Saint-Martin
There are several parking lots at the far ends of the village, which we recommend you take advantage of as there are very few spaces inside the village, where the streets are quite narrow!
There's also a bike park at the entrance to the village and an energy recharging point.
Useful tips for visiting Candes-Saint-Martin
How long and when?
Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the village sites (collegiate church, ruins, other buildings, castles), discover the stores, admire the panorama and, above all, have time to meditate by the water!
Candes-Saint-Martin is all the more beautiful in the summer months, between May and September, but this is also the time when tourist numbers are at their peak.
We therefore advise you to arrive early in the morning, to enjoy the calm of the village, or to come at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset, with your feet in the water.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
The village is small and easy to explore. However, please note that the floors can be very uneven and many passages are on slopes. You'll also need to climb a few steps to enter the Collégiale Saint-Martin.
We recommend good walking shoes for the viewpoint.
Visiting with children
We didn't see any specific attractions for children.
They should, however, appreciate the somewhat labyrinthine effect of the alleyways and the waterside promenade. Even better if you offer them a boat trip! More information on the region's website here.
Restaurants
We haven't tried out any of the restaurants in Candes-Saint-Martin, but we've spotted them:
- The Auberge de la Goutte d'or restaurant, for a sunny snack at the foot of the Collégiale Saint-Martin!
- Enfin du Vin, a wine shop open from Thursday to Sunday, offers a selection of local wines and products for tasting by the water!
Perhaps the best thing to do would be to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it on one of the many benches set up along the river!
Hotels
Apart from the Château de Cande recommended above, the village's hotel offer is fairly limited, but given that it's only 20 minutes from Saumur, we invite you to discover our selection of the 10 best hotels in Saumur (2024)!
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Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
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