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Religious Monuments
Religious Monuments
Saint Georges Chapel
The former parish church of the municipality of Saint Georges, it was attached to Rochecorbon in 1808. Built against the rock face, the chapel dates back to the 11th century and was modified in the 12th. Partially troglodytic, it includes a crypt cut into the tuffeau, a 13th-century stained-glass window, and Romanesque frescoes from the 11th and 13th centuries.
Visits: The Amis de la Chapelle Saint-Georges will take you on guided tours, filling you in on the chapel’s history, on Sundays and public holidays from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 15 May to 30 October, upon appointment on +33 (0)2 47 52 53 06. Tours free of charge, led by volunteers. Donations are welcome to help pay for organisation of events and restoration of the chapel.
Saint-Pierre Church, Chançay
The original church was built in the early 12th century and was destroyed by a landslide around 1750. The present edifice, dedicated to Saint Peter, was built under the supervision of the Tours architect Luce, in the tithe barn on the foundations of one of the old château’s towers. It harbours a curiosity mentioned in early manuscripts – a relic of the True Cross gifted to the church in 1285 by Hardouin de Maillé, Lord of Chançay.
Visits: Daily, morning to evening, from 9: 00 / 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Saint-Martin Church, Chanceaux sur Choisille
Saint-Martin Church, with its single nave, would appear to be the same edifice first mentioned in 940. It has since undergone a series of modifications. It was here that Eve Lavalliere converted and took communion on 19 June 1917 (from 1890 to 1910, Eve Lavallière was one of France’s most celebrated actresses, her fame paralleling that of Sarah Bernhardt and, in later years, of Mistinguette.)
More information required? Click on http://catholique-tours-nord.cef.fr, Saint-Sauveur parish.
Visits: The church is permanently closed but may be visited. Contact to mairie: 02 47 55 19 55.
Monnaie Church The church in Monnaie comprises a single nave. It was built in the 12th century and restored in 1874. A fragment of Merovingian sculpture can be seen over the door to the sacristy. In bygone days, the church and cemetery stood side by side. The latter was moved in the late 19th century, but still in its place is the monument erected to the memory of the soldiers of the Cléret Brigade who lost their lives on 20 December 1870 in a heroic and unremitting battle against Prussian troops marching on Tours.
Service hours: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Visits: Daily, morning to evening from 9 / 9.30 am to 6 pm (summer), to 5 pm (winter).
Saint-Pierre Church, Parçay-Meslay
Saint-Pierre Church dates back to the 10th century. At the time it belonged to Marmoutier Abbey, as did all the surrounding land, which constituted the domain of Parcay. The church contains a 16th-century panelled nave and 12th-century frescoes (including “Christ in Majesty”, listed as a Historical Monument in 1924).
Service hours: Vigil mass at Parçay Meslay, the 2nd Saturday of each month at 6 p.m.
Visits: Daily, morning to evening from 9/ 9:30 am to 6 pm.
Notre Dame Church, Rochecorbon The church was originally dedicated to Saint Peter. It was built in the 11th century, enlarged in the following century, modified in the 15th century and restored in 1862. The nave is covered by a (11th, 12th and 16th-century) barrel-vault ceiling in raw wood. The paintings adorning the nave beams include a variety of motifs (crosses, chevrons and quatrefoil flowers) coloured in blue, red and yellow and dating back to the 11th and 15th or 16th centuries. The nave paintings were executed by LOBIN around 1850, his frescoes undoubtedly covering earlier paintings. The edifice has been listed as a Historical Monument since 1923.
Service hours: Sundays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Sisters of Rochecorbon.
Visits: Daily, morning et evening from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Saint-Médard Church, Reugny
Saint Médard Church dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The nave was restored in 1889. The painting of Saint Médard over the altar replaces a magnificent canvas, now in the Musée du Louvre, depicting Louise de La Vallière. The church is adorned with 2 fine chapels, Chapelle de La Vallière in the north transept and Chapelle de la Côte, which was added in the 15th century. Louise de La Vallière frequented this church before entering her Carmelite convent.
Visits: Daily, morning to evening from 9:00 am to 6:00 / 7:00 pm.
Sainte-Trinité Church, Vernou sur Brenne Sainte Trinité Church dates back to the 10th, 12th and early 16th centuries, and was restored in 1870. The present edifice, largely Romanesque in style, replaced a Carolingian building. The nave is topped by a semi-circular panelled ceiling. The chancel contains a 17th-century reredos, and there is a 12th-century baptismal font near the entrance.
Service hours: Sunday at 11 a.m.
Visits: Daily, morning to evening, from 9:00 am to 18:00 pm.
Notre Dame et Saint-Jean Baptiste Church, Vouvray
Notre Dame et St Jean-Baptiste Church dates back to the 11th, 13th and 16th centuries, and was restored and enlarged between 1859 and 1861. The 11th-century nave leads direct to the hillside rock, and the belfry surmounting it was built in the 13th century and modified in the 17th. It has 2 twin windows on each of its faces and has been topped with a slate cupola since 1861. In front of the church is a monument erected to the memory of the musician CHARLES BORDES, who was born at Bellangerie manor in 1863 and was largely responsible for reviving interest in Gregorian music. In 1894, he set up a society for the promotion of early sacred music, the famous SCHOLA CANTORUM. Bordes died at the age of 46, acclaimed by all the composers of his time, and is buried in Vouvray cemetery.
Service hours: Saturdays at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., the 3rd Sunday of each month at 6 p.m.: Gregorian Mass, every Sunday at 6 p.m.: vespers and benedictions.
Visits: Daily morning to evening, from 9:00 am to 18:00 pm.
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