Saint-Georges-sur-Cher is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region, 20 km south-east of Ambois.
Its territory of 23 km² borders the course of the Cher on the left bank, and it borders to the west of the Indre-et-Loire.
Belonging to the natural and agricultural region of the "bocage plateaus of southern Touraine", a strip stretching 25 km along the valley and less than 10 km "wide", the locality has preserved a rural, covered with crops and agricultural areas (60% of its area) and forests and meadows (28%).
Dependent in the Middle Ages on the abbey of Pontlevoy, the village where a Benedictine priory was established from the 12th century has retained its agrarian vocation over the centuries. Nowadays, with 2700 inhabitants, Saint-Georges-sur-Cher is renowned for its wines (appellations "crémant" and "rosé de Loire", "Touraine"). The town is also included in the production area of cheeses with the appellation "sainte-maure-de-touraine" and "selles-sur-cher".
In addition to its vineyards and bucolic landscapes, the heritage and leisure offer of Saint-Georges-sur-Cher deserve attention.
Several sites and heritage items attesting to the rich past of the town are to be discovered during a walk in the village and its immediate surroundings.
This is the case of the parish church of Saint-Georges, whose Romanesque foundations date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The choir, the apse and the bell tower date from this period, but the nave and the right arm of the transept were modified in the 16th century, endowed with a ribbed vault falling on capitals carved in culs-de-lampe, characteristic rebirth. The porch, on the other hand, is later. Inside, an ex-voto has been installed in the nave donated by sailors: it is a model of a barge as it once circulated on the Cher.
To be seen next, the astonishing and imposing Calvary which dominates the town and the cemetery. Composed of three large crosses and a dozen statues (some on pedestals, others in small chapels dug into the rock), its construction required 40 tons of cement and lime! Recently restored, it was fitted out in 1889 by the parish priest on his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
On the heights of the village, surrounded by vineyards, the priory of La Chaise dates from the 16th century (except for the chapel, from the 13th century, where traces of frescoes remain). Dependent on the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Julien de Tours until the Revolution, it now looks like a main building from the 16th century in stone and brick with a staircase turret, high skylights and watchtowers at the corners. This building is in fact the former home of the prior, the conventual buildings having not been preserved. On the other hand, in the 19th century, a wing was built, the whole also including outbuildings. Protected as historical monuments, the former priory is open to the public and visits in July and August.
It is also worth mentioning the Couldraies manor, listed in the Inventory, to the south-west of the town. It dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, built for a canon of Saint-Martin de Tours, then having served as a hunting lodge or even a "gallant" meeting place for sovereigns and nobles staying in Touraine. We notice the typical architecture of the Renaissance in the region, with the decorations carved and restored in the 19th century of the house, the bays having been redesigned in the 18th century. The Renaissance building was later added a low wing, a square pavilion and a tower (19th century). Nowadays, the mansion is the center of an important wine estate.
An elaborate dormer window made in the 19th century by companions on the upper level of a dwelling, rue Georges Michel, listed in the Inventory, and in another genre, the dry stone huts used as shelters by the winegrowers, formerly, are yet to be mentioned.
In terms of culture, activities are regularly offered at the library (contact +33 2 54 32 18 84) and shows and association events scheduled at the village hall (join the town hall on +33 2 54 33 30 19).
As far as "nature" sports or leisure activities are concerned, tennis courts must be reserved with the local club (inquire on +33 2 54 32 74 45 or +33 6 73 16 24 55). Fishermen for their part can take advantage of the waters of the Cher or the streams descending from the hillsides (get closer to the Amicale communale on +33 6 20 18 88 84). It should also be mentioned that horse-drawn carriage rides are offered by a specialized club: contact +33 7 81 79 35 47 to find out more about this unique way of discovering the landscapes of the valley...
For hiking enthusiasts, the trail interpretation center "Around the Cher" arranged by the municipality and 4 km long (round trip) allows you to understand the natural environment of the valley and the heritage elements (former port). It is dotted with panels, desks, benches... Other loops including incursions towards the great neighboring sites such as the Château de Chenonceau, tracks dedicated to two-wheelers along the Cher or routes dedicated to wine tourism are also at available: maps and information on +33 2 47 23 94 45.
