Dominated by its impressive 11th-century keep, Montrichard offers a journey back in time through its medieval heritage. The charming town is also worth a visit for its picturesque setting, with cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, not to mention the magnificent views from the banks of the Cher river.
Here's our guide to the must-see sites in the town of Montrichard in the Centre-Val de Loire region , plus 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 Montrichard worth a visit?
Yes, Montrichard is well worth a visit. The medieval town boasts a rich heritage of timber-framed houses, a fortress overlooking the valley and charming alleyways to explore. For us, it's a must-see when visiting the Châteaux de la Loire.
1. Discover the fortress and its keep
While you can admire the remains of the fortress as you stroll through the town of Montrichard, we strongly advise you to visit its keep, the last vestige of the ancient Château Fort. Built by Foulques Nerra in the 11th century to keep watch over the valley, it can now be visited for a few days a year. We enjoyed learning more about its turbulent history (for example, it was destroyed by King Henry IV during the Hundred Years' War) and enjoying its breathtaking views over the surrounding valley. Note that the site also features 6 terminals for viewing the remains in augmented reality.
- Opening hours: daily from 2pm to 6:30pm and until 7pm between July and September.
- Price: 5€ (adults), 3€ (children aged 7-12)
- The visit is free but mediation documents are available on request - see the latest information on the official website here.
2. Admire the timber-framed houses
We loved wandering around Montrichard's historic center, admiring its timber-framed houses. Dating from the second half of the 15th century, they add a colorful touch to the picturesque lanes in the center of town. They withstood the collapse of the royal dwellings onto the church and neighboring houses. Don't miss the Maison de l'Ave Maria, once home to a chapter of Chanoines de l'Abbaye d'Aiguevive (late 15th-early 16th century).
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. Stroll along the Cher
What could be better after a day's sightseeing than relaxing by the water? The Cher is one of the Loire's largest tributaries, and its verdant banks make for lovely, contemplative walks. We took in the majesty of Montrichard from the quayside, enjoying the scent of wild flowers and the gentle murmur of the water.
Find ideas for outings in the Cher region on the official Tourist Office website here.
4. Explore the village's architectural heritage
As we wandered around Montrichard, we were surprised to discover so many heritage features, such as..:
- The fortifications of the ancient city, whose walls date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and still wind through some of the city's streets.
- L'église Saint-Croix, the former chapel of the château until the mid-18th century, attracted us for its porch and its lovely view over Montrichard.
- L'hôtel d'Effiat: take time to admire this Renaissance residence, comprising two parallel main buildings, one dating from the late 15th century and the other in brick and tufa stone.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
5. Staying in or near the village
As Montrichard's hotel offer is modest, you'll find authentic places to enjoy the village's charm for longer. The bed and breakfast Le Clos de la Source seemed like a good option.
However, if you're looking for a unique experience, we recommend the Château de la Haute Borde for which we have fallen in love! Situated just 20 minutes from Montrichard, this place offers both guest rooms and an artists' residence in an enchanting setting. You'll be able to take advantage of the refined rooms, carefully-crafted decor, gourmet table d'hôte, a stroll in the adjoining park and even a swimming pool in fine weather.
Book your bucolic stay at Château de la Haute Borde now!
6. Discover more surprises
The village of Montrichard is full of surprises. As you stroll through the village, keep your eyes peeled for the different elements that make it so charming:
- The Saint-Célérin fountain: built in the 16th century from the source of the Rocher fountain, located beneath the castle, is a charming discovery.
- Ginkgo Bilolba: designated as one of France's remarkable trees, this age-old species comes from China and brings a serene presence from the top of its 10m height.
- The 13th-century Tower: located on Place du Commerce, it was once part of the town's walls and housed the communal oven.
And don't miss the small boutiques that make the city so charming.
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7. Learn more about the water relationship in the village
The fortress was built in the town of Montrichard for its naturally defensive position perched on a hillside. Proximity to the Cher river was also an asset for the town, as it enabled the transport of supplies and, above all, tufa stone for building the surrounding castles. Think about it when you cross the bridge and see the Maison du Passeur. Erected at the end of the 18th century on the base of a former castelet, this house initially had a defensive function, before becoming a checkpoint for people coming and going in the town in the 19th century.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
8. Lounging on the beach
Situated just opposite Montrichard, this sandy beach is sure to tempt you on any summer's day! It's unusual to swim in the Loire, but this sandy beach, with its multitude of activities, has a bucolic setting that you'd be wrong to miss out on. Please note that the area is accessible for wheelchair users.
- Opening hours: supervised swimming from June 29 to August 28, 2pm to 7pm (except Tuesdays)
- Price: Free
- See the latest news on the official website here
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Other attractions in and around Montrichard
We've listed our must-haves, but you can enjoy them too:
- A bike ride along the Cher: find an example of a signposted loop trail here.
- A visit to the troglodytic site of La Magnanerie: in this former silk production site, you can learn more about silkworm rearing and visit houses carved out of the rock (more info here).
- A visit to Troglo Degusto: a tour of 35km of ancient troglodyte quarries to learn more about the geology and history of this underground world (more info here).
- A wine tasting at Les Caves de Monmousseau: this cellar not only offers an oenological tour, but also a chance to immerse yourself in its maze of galleries dug into the tufa rock, through a stunning illuminated scenography (more info here).
Near Montrichard, you can visit the exceptional sites of Amboise in just 20 minutes, or discover the incredible International Garden Festival at the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire.
How to get to Montrichard + parking
Where is Montrichard
- In the Centre-Val de Loire region
- Driving time from Tours = 50min
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h30
- Driving time from Paris = 2h45
How to get there
You can also reach the village of Montrichard:
- By car: The village is well served by the A10 freeway from Paris or the A11 from Nantes.
- By public transport: You can reach Montrichard by train from Paris, taking the train to Tours and then taking the ter to Montrichard. The city center can be reached in 20 minutes on foot or by bus (more info on the public transport website here).
- By bike: The village is also 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 Montrichard
Public parking is available at the entrance to Montrichard, 17 quai Jean Bart.
A further parking lot for camping cars is available outside the town.
Useful tips for visiting Montrichard
How long and when?
Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the village sites (keep, old town, church), admire the panorama from the banks of the Cher and, above all, have time to stroll!
Montrichard 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 appreciate the calm of the village and then take time for lunch.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
The village of Montrichard is relatively small and easy to explore. So there's no particular direction to follow. We recommend good walking shoes for the cobbled streets and the occasional incline.
The tourist office on Rue Nationale can provide you with a map to help you find your way around the town (more info here). During your walk, you'll also have the pleasure of discovering several explanatory panels on the various points of interest in the village.
Finally, please note that there can be a lot of traffic due to the bridge, which limits the flow of traffic.
Visiting with children
If you come to Montrichard in summer, there's no doubt that your children will love the beach and its various facilities. Otherwise, we think they might also be interested in the augmented reality tour of the dungeon (more info here).
Restaurants
While Montrichard has some charming squares, its restaurant offer is rather limited. If, like us, you're a gourmet, we recommend you take a look at Amboise, just a 25-minute drive from Montrichard, and find our list of gourmet addresses here.
Otherwise, we've located Montrichard:
- Restaurant Mon Jardin: for healthy, tasty lunch between two visits, in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Le Restaurant Aviné: just a 6-minute drive from the historic center, this hidden address in a vaulted setting dug into the tufa stone, offers a delightful menu of tapas and natural wines (more info here).
Hotels
As mentioned above, we preferred charming addresses outside the city, such asHôtel Les Sources de Cheverny or Château de la Haute Borde.
If you want to stay in the village: Discover the best-rated accommodations in Montrichard.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
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