Nestled along the quiet meanders of the Indrois River in South Touraine, Loché-sur-Indrois is a serene, picture-postcard village - and the home of La Juberdière. While the royal fortress of Loches lies a short drive west, the area around Loché-sur-Indrois offers a more intimate, slow-paced immersion into countryside heritage, secluded medieval architecture and natural beauty.
Village Life - The Indrois River & Nearby Lakes
In the heart of the village, time slows down, anchored by its historic stone church and countryside trails winding past ancient watermills along the small Indrois river that runs through Loché-sur-Indrois. For a proper lake setting, head to the neighbouring village of Chemillé-sur-Indrois, a short drive away, whose plan d'eau is a favourite spot for families and nature lovers:
- Nature walks & cycling: an idyllic path circles the lake at Chemillé-sur-Indrois - perfect for morning strolls, birdwatching and family picnics.
- Leisure & water activities: in the warmer months, rent pedalos, enjoy the playgrounds, or relax at the lakeside restaurant at Chemillé-sur-Indrois with regional goat cheese and a crisp Loire white as the sun sets over the water.
Chartreuse du Liget - A Secluded Monastic Masterpiece
A few kilometres away in the Forest of Loches lies one of the region's most hauntingly beautiful sites, the Chartreuse du Liget - a Carthusian monastery founded in the 12th century by King Henry II of England as penance for the murder of Thomas Becket:
- The Chapelle Saint-Jean-du-Liget: a small circular 12th-century chapel standing alone near the forest edge, hiding remarkably preserved Romanesque frescoes of the Passion.
- The monastic ruins: a monumental stone gateway (La Corroirie), massive perimeter walls and peaceful ruins set among forest glades.
Chédigny - The Garden Village of Roses
A short drive northwest brings you to Chédigny, renowned across Europe for its botanical identity. In the late 1990s it replaced its pavements with vibrant garden beds and now holds the official "Jardin Remarquable" label:
- Thousands of blooms: more than 1,000 climbing and shrub roses, plus perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses draping over historic stone façades.
- The Presbytery Garden (Le Jardin du Presbytère): a recreated 19th-century priest's garden of medicinal plants, heirloom vegetables and fruit trees.
Nearby Highlights - Montrésor & Beyond
- Montrésor (7 km): officially one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France", with a fairytale Renaissance château above the Indrois, medieval timbered houses and the romantic Balcons de l'Indrois riverside walk.
- Forest of Loches: ideal for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking under oak and beech.
For travellers seeking an authentic taste of Touraine, away from the tour buses, the area around Loché-sur-Indrois delivers pure countryside charm - right on La Juberdière's doorstep.
