Montoire-sur-le Loir | Office de Tourisme de Vendôme %

Let yourself be guided in Montoire-sur-le-Loir take the discovery trip. In the space of a one hour stroll you will discover the main monuments of the town: the Augustin convent founded in the 11th century, Saint Laurent church with its magnificent stained-glass windows, the Renaissance house, Saint Gilles chapel, well known for its frescos, among the major romanesque paintings in France.

Pick up a free trip leaflet at the tourist information desk of Montoire-sur-le-Loir or download it in 3 languages: French, English and Dutch.

Our favourite: Saint-Gilles chapel, a romanesque chapel from the late 11th century with early 12th century frescos representing Christ in majesty. This building was also the priory of the poet Pierre de Ronsard. A full-scale reconstruction is on view at the Cité de I’Architecture of Paris.

Enter the wonderland of music!

Musikenfête, this 15th century “show museum” building will seduce you. If you are not a musique lover yet, you will become one. Enjoy guessing where each music instrument comes from…With their warm welcome, the owners of this place communicate their passion.

This museum organizes a festival presenting different world cultures with the best traditional dance and music companies.

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Maquette dans la Gare Historique de Montoire-sur-le Loir

A page of history…

The little town of Montoire-sur-le-Loir entered history in spite of itself the 22nd and 24th of October 1940 when Laval and Hitler and then Maréchal Pétain and the Reich chancellor had a meeting there.

In 2003, a museum was opened in the train station to explore the origins and the consequences of these meetings.

A few steps away from Montoire-sur-le-Loir, there are two typical villages to be discovered...

Lavardin, the only official “most beautiful village of France” in the Loir-et-Cher.

The village is located along the Loir river in a natural site at the foot of a partly ruined medieval fortress. You will be able to see picturesque old houses and visit the Saint-Genest romanesque church with its frescos dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries.

Trôo, troglodytic town.

One of the most beautiful and unusual villages of France.

The most commun explanation for its name is that it comes from the word “trou” (hole), because of its caves located in the hill. Trôo could be the old English or Anjou spelling.

The village is rather special, composed of three terraces, without any real streets or center. This curious arrangement encourages strolling in its little so-called streets, narrow passages, steps, caves and cellars…

Without forgetting, the birthplace of the “Prince of Poets” preserves its 16th century charm. Renaissance-inspired gardens, creation 2020.

Manor and troglodytic commons decorated with sculptures and writing in the first Renaissance style.