LA CHAPELLE AUX NAUX…
Where the Loire is a fisherman's paradise!
La Chapelle-aux-Naux is a small commune whose 525 hectares stretch between the south bank of the Loire and the Vieux Cher. 3.5km long and 1.5km wide, the village is flanked by Villandry to the east, Lignières-de-Touraine to the south and the River Indre to the west at the commune of Bréhémont.

The countryside:

First and foremost, the real treasure of la Chapelle-aux-Naux is the Loire valley countryside, which can be admired throughout the length of the four kilometres of levees alongside the river. This road, which comes from Villandry and carries on towards Bréhémont and Rigny-Ussé, has become a highly popular connecting route for cyclo-tourists. The views over the Loire have become even more panoramic since the trees were cleared from the levees during reinforcement work. These structures provide protection for the valley, small outlying hamlets and the village itself, scarcely much bigger, but home to the public buildings and the single business: a café!
A fisherman's paradise and an ornithological reserve with lush green islands and golden sandbanks inhabited by ducks, herons and cormorants, the river watches over its constantly changing landscapes, transformed by the seasons and the changing light.
The port, situated at the foot of the stone-lined section of dyke, still evokes memories of times when it was a port of call for passing bargemen. Since the coming of the railways, however, these sailors of gabarres (river barges), toues (flat-bottomed barges) and square-sailed coches d'eau (passage boats), who sailed upstream at the mercy of the winds, have become consigned to history.

The church:

The Nau family gave its name to the Commune. In 1505, Guillaume Nau built the first chapel, which belonged to the Langeais parish. The current church dates from 1855 and is home to an enamelled earthenware statuette of Saint Clément, the patron saint of bargemen, dating from 1713.
The commune also has a Protestant temple, built following a disagreement between some of the local inhabitants and the parish priest. Today, it is a private residence.

Crops:

A varied range of crops can be found in the surrounding area. Depending on the season, passers-by can purchase asparagus, strawberries and apples direct from the grower.

Settlements:

Houses are widely scattered. Indeed, the "varenniers" (inhabitants of the fertile flood plains) who were obliged to grow a wide range of crops, had to live in the middle of their cultivated lands. Their houses remain in perfect harmony with the environment. Of modest size, they huddle together in hamlets at the base of the great levee. Their names ("Les Bataillaux" ["The Battlers"] , "Les Brisaciers" ["The Steel Breakers"]) bear witness to the hard battles fought by their occupants against the elements and arid soils.
Important anecdote: in 1897, a 15th century wrought iron bombard weighing 1800 kg was hauled out of the river. Today, it stands proudly in the main courtyard of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris …

CONTACT DETAILS

Mayor: Marc RIVRY
Address: Mairie de la Chapelle aux Naux
37130 LA CHAPELLE AUX NAUX
Tel: 02 47 96 80 36
Fax: 02 47 96 80 36
Email: no
Website: no
Opening times: Monday and Wednesday from 8.30am to12.30pm
Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm
First and third Saturdays of the month from 9.00am to12.00pm
Name of the inhabitants: Chapellois

GEOGRAPHY

Situation: link to the map
Number of inhabitants: 503 inhabitants
Area: 525 ha
Population density: 95.8 inhabitants/km²

SERVICES

Associations, leisure and culture:  
Businesses:  
Restaurants/Accommodation:  
Industruis and crafts:  
Main public amenities: Function room