We have included La
Roche-Posay in our towns of the Loire Valley even although it is actually in the
département of the
Vienne
as
this is a must for visitors to Southern Touraine. This charming medieval town
is
on the south bank of the River
Creuse, which is the boundary of Indre-et-Loire
and the Vienne. You have now crossed into part
of a region that is well-deserving of a visit but probably not high
on the list of most tourists -- not because it doesn't have a lot to
offer but because it is rural, peaceful and not very well known
(this area featured in Sunday Times in 2008 as 'undiscovered jewel'). It
has a
charming main street,and market square which you are led into through the
old town
‘gate’.
This elegant and
historical town is bristling with restaurants and cafes catering
for everything from a light lunch to splendid dinners - there is
even a tearoom! ('salon de the')
The markets on
Tuesday and Friday morning have a very good mix of stalls with
everything from shoes to olives - are worth a visit.
During the summer months the square also
plays host to a number of fetes and
festivals - including a medieval festival.
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The
town has a very interestin church 'Eglise Notre Dame' which
dates back to the 11th century from which period only the
Romanesque bell tower remains.
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You can see more photographs
here...
There are a
few
surprises you will find in this small town - a casino, a thermal
spa, a racecourse and more! The casino opened in the year 2000 and
draws many visitors from the surrounding
region.
Then there is the
Hippodrome de La
Gâtinière
for those who enjoy horse
racing. Beginning at
2 PM, races are scheduled for certain days in June,
July, August and early September. Admission is EUR 6 for adults
and is free for those under the age of 18.
We
have visited on a number of occasions and had
a very good day out
On the outskirts
of town there
is an 18-hole
golf course
which can be quite challenging
in that you have a few tight fairways bordered by trees but is also
a relaxing 'walk' if played early on a summer's morning.
There are well marked out walking routes that take
you along part of the river, up on to the old railway bridge giving
some great views. There is a nearby riding school, fitness centre
and the river with its man-made beach provides great place to cool
off in the height of summer. Yes, this little town is full of
surprises!
Perhaps a more
well-known offering of La Roche-Posay
is
its world-famous thermal spa and mineral waters
which have been enjoyed
for over five centuries.
The village has gardens to explore:
'Jardins
du Parc Thermal de La Roche-Posay.'
which while not as grand as they may have been can still be
admired around the Rose Pavillion and across the road up towards
the hospital cure centre.
Make a point of
walking behind the offices of the
Mairie and check out their
seasonal floral displays
