Situated on the edge of the Loire River, the town of Châteauneuf-sur-Loire possesses a vast and pleasant tree-lined park featuring the remains of a castle, a giant rhododendron area and some remarkable trees. Not to be missed are the flowering rhododendrons at the beginning of June.
Also worth a visit: the Musée de la Marine de Loire navy museum, housed in the former stables of the château.
Châteauneuf-sur-Loire is a town in the Loiret department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region, 25 km east of Orléans.
Its vast territory of 40 km² is located on the right bank of the Loire. Apart from the urbanized area of the locality, which borders the river, most of the environment has remained green: 50% of the land is covered with forests and agricultural areas represent 23% of the municipal area.
We also observe that between the particular ecosystem of the river and the rich biodiversity of the forests, several Natura 2000 zones mark out the landscape.
A trading stop for boatmen who sailed on the Loire from the early Middle Ages, the city became part of the royal domain with the Capetian dynasty (10th century). King Henry I established a fortress there in the 11th century, which gave its name to Châteauneuf…
Today, the town has nearly 8,200 inhabitants and thrives in the heart of the Loire Valley, now listed as a heritage UNESCO World. It has an offer of cultural and "nature" leisure activities which makes it a choice stopover before reaching Orléans...
Châteauneuf-sur-Loire has a rich heritage linked on the one hand to its rapid attachment to the royal domain and on the other hand to the commercial traffic which developed on the Loire. The first castle in the form of a fortress and residence of the first Capetian sovereigns appeared after the year one thousand. After the kings of France, the dukes of Orléans appropriated it and it was rebuilt in the 17th century for the Phélypeaux de La Vrillière family, several of whom were secretaries of state. From this period remain the rotunda and the stables. Shortly before the Revolution, the Duke of Penthièvre, grandson of the Sun King and Madame de Montespan, acquired the estate (1783) and erected the pavilions in the forecourt and the orangery. Nowadays, listed in the Inventory, the castle houses the town hall whose visitors can admire the magnificent reception hall. Information on +33 2 38 58 41 18.
As for the park, first designed in the form of a French garden then redesigned as an English park, it includes old trees of exotic origin: rhododendrons, magnolias giants, ginkgo biloba, bald cypresses but also a Japanese sophora and a tulip tree from Virginia, which have been labeled remarkable trees. A double alley of lime trees planted in the 18th century, water features, information panels and a path linking this botanical park to the Loire add to the charm of this botanical space which is one of the town's great assets. Open every day with fun courses offered to young people.
The suspension bridge built in 1840 and rebuilt during the interwar period, enhanced by careful lighting that varies with the seasons, the astonishing Tourelles manor built at the beginning of the 20th century are also among the must-sees local heritage.
Also protected as historic monuments are the Saint-Martial church (built in the 13th century in a Romanesque style then remodeled several times) which notably houses the Gothic tomb of the Marquis de la Vrillière and a polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin and Child and the chapel of Bonne-Dame with its elegant portal (12th century).
The Promenade du Chastaing on the banks of the Loire, the grain market dating from 1844 which was first a boathouse before being transferred to the city center and the market hall and its metal frame dating from 1903 complete this panorama, without forgetting the charm and character of the old port built in the 18th century...
To discover the charms of the thousand-year-old city, visitors have the possibility of following the Chemin Maurice Genevoix (the novelist author of "Ceux of 14" and "Raboliot" lived here during his childhood and remained attached to the city) or the Circuit des venelles which is centered on the small streets or the soft connections between old center and districts. Information on +33 2 38 58 41 18 or +33 2 38 58 41 18.
On the cultural side, installed since 1998 in the former stables of the castle, the Loire Marine Museum was created in 1961 to highlight the history navigation on the Loire, the largest river in France and a major axis of communication until the 19th century. Models, tools, everyday objects, paintings and engravings evoke the evolution of navigation, trade and sailors. As a result, it is also a whole section of Châteauneuf's past that is addressed. The daring scenography adds to the charm of the visit: the entrance is designed in the image of a boarding hall, then the public discovers in the main nave, the molding of the hull of a boat, and a mezzanine under the brick and stone arcades evoke the architecture of a quay with its goods awaiting loading… Finally, it should be noted that the artists who immortalized the river are highlighted. Open every day except Tuesday. Price: 3 and 5 euros. Information on +33 2 38 46 84 46.
The municipal library offers events throughout the year (exhibitions, meetings, etc.). Contact +33 2 38 58 69 37.
For athletes, the city has many facilities: a synthetic football pitch is accessible at the Lièvre d'Or Complex, a field with free access to the Terres du Château Complex, tennis courts (rue du Gris Meunier) to book with the local club on +33 6 37 01 30 04 but also a city stadium (rue Paul Carpentier) and a fitness trail (promenade de l'herbe verte).
In any season, the swimming pool allows you to combine the pleasure of swimming and idleness with its indoor or outdoor pools and its play areas (information on +33 2 38 58 45 41).
We will not forget the potential that the Loire and the ponds, "inland", offer to fishing enthusiasts: find out about the regulations and the spots provided on +33 2 38 46 27 09.
For those who appreciate hiking, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire is at the center of a network of 150 km of cycle tourism routes (including the areas around the river but also forest areas). The city is also crossed by the Loire à Vélo route, a secure route for walkers and two-wheelers and multiple pedestrian paths that include heritage elements, the banks of the Loire and the forest of Orléans. Maps and information for hikers from the tourist office on +33 2 38 58 41 18.
| Leisure centres | |
|---|---|
| Monuments | |
| Natural sites |
Every Friday, the market is held under the hall and showcases the Loire Valley terroir.
In March, carnival.
End of May or beginning of June, at Pentecost, rhododendron festival with shows, concerts, fairground attractions, activities on the theme of nature…
The last Sunday of July, donkey festival.
The second Sunday of August, port festival.
The first weekend of September, sports festival.
