Listed as one of the " most beautiful villages in France", Montrésor is well worth a visit for its peaceful, bucolic atmosphere.
Overlooking the valley, the castle, with its medieval and Renaissance influences, is full of surprises, while the town reveals its charm through its cobbled streets and preserved heritage. Finally, the walk along the Indrois river is a timeless break not to be missed!
Here's our guide to the must-see places in the village of Montrésor in the Centre-Val de Loire region, 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.
Is the village of Montrésor worth a visit?
Yes, the village of Montrésor deserves its name because it's a real treasure not to be missed. It even tops our list of the most beautiful Loire villages! We loved it for its preserved heritage and peaceful atmosphere.
1. Explore Château de Montrésor and its grounds
We began our exploration of the village with a visit to the castle.
It was originally a medieval fortress built by the Count of Anjou Foulques Nerra, and we loved discovering the poetic ruins of the ancient keep.
The rest of the château, on the other hand, is in the Renaissance style, as evidenced by the turrets and dormer windows, which date back to the work of Imbert de Bastarnay, Lord of Montrésor and adviser to 4 Kings of France (from Louis XI to François I), who stayed here in the 15th century.
After admiring the architecture of the château, we were curious to discover the opulent decoration of the dwelling. The Second Empire-style furniture was carefully selected in the 19th century by Count Branicki, a Polish political exile.
We loved the abundance of colors, materials and objects, before strolling through the park's romantic alleys, filled with groves of flowers and sculptures.
- Opening hours: The château is open daily from February 10 to November 11, mainly from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Price: €10 (adults), €6 (children aged 8-12)
- See the latest news on the château's website here
2. Discover the Collégiale Saint Jean-Baptiste
After the château, we naturally moved on to the Collégiale Saint Jean-Baptiste, also founded by Imbert de Bastarnay to house his tomb. Completed around 1541, it has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1840 and is well worth a visit for its chapels, carved with figures, coats of arms and various ornaments. Don't miss the 5 statues in the niches on the west facade, whose heads were beheaded during the French Revolution.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09h to 18h
- Price: Free
- See the latest news on the tourist office website here
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. Visit the Halle des Cardeux
This 17th-century hall was once home to the "cardeux", the wool workers whose trade made Montrésor famous until the early 20th century.
Today, this magnificent attic is the setting for a permanent exhibition on gemmail, the name given to the assembly of pieces of glass. Layered like precious stones, they catch the light to create translucent paintings. We really enjoyed this little exhibition, which enabled us to find out more about this amazing skill.
- Opening hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Price: Free access
- See the latest news on the official website here
4. Stroll through the charming alleyways
What a pleasure to stroll through the narrow streets of Montrésor, which certainly doesn't steal its name! Listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", Montrésor's charm is revealed by its cobbled streets, tufa-faced houses and the gentle murmur of the Indrois river. The particularly well-preserved heritage adds authenticity to this village, which has completely won us over!
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
5. Along the banks of the Indrois river
Starting out from Montrésor, Les Balcons de l'Indrois is the name given to a trail offering a pleasant stroll along the water's edge. You can wander between small bridges, vegetable gardens, old mills and beautiful views of the Château.
All along the flower trail, panels on the theme of water and the history of the village will help you discover and understand the history of the village.
We loved this instructive and soothing escape into the heart of nature.
- 2h30 loop, free access.
- Bring good shoes as the ground can be uneven.
- More information on the official website here.
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6. Venturing to the washhouse
A little further into the village, the old washhouse, rebuilt in 1948, takes us back in time. A picturesque testimony to a thousand-year-old tradition, the watering hole is dominated by a magnificent framework. If you listen carefully, you may hear the distant echo of the washerwomen's laughter!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Other attractions in and around Montrésor
We've listed our must-sees, but here are some other suggestions for activities in Montrésor:
- Market stalls in the Halle des Cardins: every Saturday morning from 9am to 12pm.
- Take part in the Nuits Solaires de Montrésor: a luminous itinerary to rediscover the village in a different light and with music (more info here). Find out about other village events here.
Alternatively, in less than 30 minutes by car, you can discover..:
- The incredible fortress town of Loches, whose medieval castle was also built by Foulques Nerra.
- The pretty, flower-filled village of Chedigny.
- The enchanting Château de Chenonceau.
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How to get to Montrésor + parking
Where is Montrésor
- In the Centre-Val de Loire region
- South-east of the city of Tours, along the Indrois river
- Driving time from Blois = 1h
- Driving time from Paris = 3h
You'll find a map below to help you find your way.
Please note that we have only indicated the Tours station where you can connect to Montrésor.
How to get there
You can also reach the village of Montrésor:
- By car: The village is well served by the A11 freeway from Nantes or the A10 from Paris.
- By public transport: There is no direct way to reach Montrésor by train. The only option is to go to Tours, take the ter to Montrichard and then take a cab to Montrésor in 20min.
- By bike: The village is accessible from the legendary Loire à Vélo cycle route (website here). Find out all our tips for making the most of the Loire à Vélo.
Parking in Montrésor
Parking is available along the Grande Rue, near the tourist office.
Useful tips for visiting Montrésor
How long and when?
Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the village's sites (château, old town, cardinal's market), discover the banks of the Indrois and, above all, have time to stroll!
Montrésor 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 peace and quiet of the village. You can combine your discovery of Montrésor with the town of Loches, which is only 20 minutes away by car and has a wider choice of restaurants for lunch.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
Montrésor is relatively small and easy to explore. However, please note that floors can be uneven with many passages sloping.
We recommend good walking shoes to explore the whole village.
Visiting with children
We haven't spotted any specific attractions for children, but they should enjoy diving into history at Château de Montrésor.
Restaurants
There are very few restaurants in Montrésor, so we recommend you bring your own picnic, which you can enjoy along the Indrois river, or head for Loches. The royal city has a number of tempting restaurants that we'd love to try out:
- The Restaurant Arbore & Sens: a gourmet restaurant that's an inspiration both for its setting (a room in which a tree takes pride of place!) and for its dishes, whose elegance is evident in both taste and presentation.
- Restaurant Le P'tit Restau: market cuisine with a contemporary twist!
Hotels
There are no hotels in Montrésor, but there are a few privately-run accommodations in the village.
Find the best-rated accommodations in Montrésor.
If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, we recommend staying at Château de Chissay, just a 30-minute drive from Montrésor.
The rooms are decorated with care and comfort to immerse you in the world of the Renaissance. Book your stay at Château de Chissay now!
Find out more about this accommodation in our dedicated article.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
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