Chouzé-sur-Loire is a commune of Indre-et-Loire, in the Center-Val de Loire region, 18 km s 39; east of Saumur, on the border of the Maine-et-Loire.
The territory of the vast locality of 28 km² belongs to the historical and natural region of the Touraine angevine. It is bordered on the south for 4 km by the course of the Loire, in which flows the Vienne, on the borders of the commune.
Other rivers cross Chouzé-sur-Loire, such as Authion, Lane and Petit Lane.
The lands of the locality are first owned by the nearby Bourgueil abbey in the 11th century, and the city takes off when François I gave it this status in the 16th century. The activity and history of Chouzé (literally meaning "land of choice") are intimately linked to the river. The boatmen traffic is important until the nineteenth century.
Now devolved to fishermen and leisure, the course of the Loire is dominated by hills where quality vineyards are cultivated. The heritage, the environment and the leisure offer of the locality which counts approximately 2100 inhabitants justify a stage near the great tourist sites of the Loire Valley.
Succeeding a building dating back to the eleventh century, which became old and sold more during the Revolution, the parish church dedicated to Saint-Pierre was built in 1825. It is large in size, classic or even austere style, composed of three naves delimited by rows of columns, and we note that its bell tower was positioned east of the choir, which is singular. Housing paintings and sculptures and an ex-voto offered by sailors, the church has stained glass restored in 1991.
After this first site, other elements and monuments testify to the patrimonial wealth of the locality and are worth the detour.
Thus are protected as historical monuments the beautiful manor or castle of Réaux, rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the fifteenth century by the mayor of Tours Jean Briçonnet on the bases of a fortified wall surrounded by moats. The materials (bricks and stones) made it possible to compose decorative motifs in checkerboards and even zebra on the dungeon. The building has changed owners many times and recently, housed a permanent exhibition dedicated to contemporary art. It is however closed to the public until further notice.
See also, the house in Tourelles (or house of the Bailli), a noble house of the sixteenth century flanked by turrets, two cavier mills of the seventeenth and nineteenth (besides their function milling, they allowed to store wine and this specificity could in additionally to prevent the fires caused by the friction of the millstones) or finally the old Priory of Plessis-aux-Moines which belonged to the abbey of Bourgueil. We note that a moat still rings the building founded in the eleventh century. The house of the prior, beautiful bill (door surmounted by coats of arms, window molded frame and decorated with cherubs), has been preserved, and a chapel. The whole is completed by a tithe barn where were stored taxes paid in kind...
As rich as it is heritage, historically and geographically, the Loire remains the jewel of the small city: once housing a real port where commercial traffic (cereals, wine, slate...) was major, the quays of Chouzé were restored in 1999. Rings, bollards and other flood reports were kept.
In a small street overlooking the quai des Sarrazins, has been legitimately established a museum dedicated to mariners who have made the prosperity of the town. An important collection of objects, tools, models and works of art evokes the daily life of the sailors and that of the city. Open from June 15th to September 15th from Thursday to Sunday and all year round by appointment for groups. Price: 3 and 4 euros. Information on +33 2 47 95 18 47.
To better understand what was the life of boatmen, a walk on the Loire aboard a vintage boat is ideal. What to combine culture and pleasure, and understand differently the landscape and architectural sites. Price: 5 and 7 euros. Possibility of ticket twinned with the entrance of the museum. Information and reservation at +33 6 43 47 40 90.
More traditional, two hiking trails have been marked on the town: the path of the mariners which logically gives pride of place to the Loire and its surroundings in terms of environment (length of 8.5 km) and the path of the mills more focused on the countryside (fruit and vegetable crops, vineyards), 18 km long.
Moreover, the circuit of the Loire à Vélo, as the name suggests, will delight fans of safe and rich discovery tours (castles, confluence of the Vienne and Loire, huts mariners...). Maps and information on +33 2 47 97 91 39.
Fishermen are also at the party to exercise their hobbies along the river or its tributaries (contact +33 2 47 97 89 70).
Finally, during a stage in Chouzé, it is possible to reserve a tennis court. Join the local club at +33 6 61 78 36 08.