Occupying the hillside and valley bottom, the modern town of Azay-le-Rideau stretches over 3
kilometres along the River Indre. Apart from the church, there are few remaining traces of the mediaeval village, as it was devastated in 1418 during an attack against the occupying Burgundian forces. Its major industries are agriculture (vineyards, orchards and cattle rearing), timber from the numerous poplar plantations on the banks of the Indre and tourism. Therefore, it is a lively market town with a full range of shops and services in a privileged position close to numerous tourist attractions.
Archaeology:
Stone axes, a secret Bronze Age foundry and traces of the Gallo-Roman era are evidence of the long uninterrupted human presence in the valley. In the 12th century,
the village was fortified and a castle was built in order to defend the crossing over the River Indre on the Tours-Chinon road. In 1418, the fortress and village were burnt down by Charles VII. The fortifications were rebuilt around the middle of the 15th century and a round tower on the Rue de l'Abreuvoir remains to this day.
The château today:
Gilles Berthelot and his wife Philippe Lesbahy began its construction in 1518. It then became a country retreat, a perfect example of Renaissance architecture in a lush waterside setting.
The church:
The church formerly belonged to the priory-parish whose other buildings, bought by the Marquis de Biencourt after the Revolution, were sacrificed in order to make way for the enlargement of the château's grounds. The square opens onto the old market place in the heart of old Azay. The 11th century west side, featuring gables in reticulated bond and sculpted figures under monolithic arcades, has since been modified, with the addition of a window recess in the 18th century and a neo-classical doorway.
The nave was built in the 11th and 12th centuries on top of 10th century elements that are still visible today.
In the town:
15th century corbelled house in the Rue de l'Abreuvoir. Market hall on the old market square,
rebuilt in the neo-classical style in the 19th century and again in the 20th century after a fire. Moulin
d'Azay (Azay Mill), rue Nationale, central bowed body, 16th century timber frame.
In the immediate locality:
Numerous mills can be spotted by following the Indre in either direction and there are even a few private châteaux: Château du Val d'Aulnay (16th century), Château de
Mazères, Château de l'Islette (16th century) and the Château de la Chatonnière nestling in its own secret valley. Towards Tours, you will find the Gentilhommière (Manor) de la Grande Loge (XVIème).
Finally, at Port-Huault, on the D120, there is a 15th century house close to a ford where Joan of Arc is said to have crossed the river.
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SERVICES
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| Main public amenities: |
Rural community centre, tennis, football pitch, rest area, swimming pool, municipal dojo, boules de fort area (a local version of bowls), gymnasium, function rooms, campsite, after-school leisure centre, library |
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