The village is situated on the left bank of the River Indre at the confluence of several streams. Balzac
described it in the following way: "Picture three mills carefully positioned amidst beautifully-proportioned islands, topped off with a scattering of trees in the middle of a watery meadow: this is the village of Pont-de-Ruan. A pretty place overlooked by an old church that is full of character, a church from the time of the Crusades. The sort of church a painter might like to put in one of his paintings.
Frame the picture with ancient walnut trees and young golden-leaved poplars… and you will have an idea of just one of a thousand views of this beautiful region".
Archaeology:
This area has an extremely varied archaeological heritage. Artefacts from the Lower Palaeolithic period have been discovered in a local sand quarry and the remnants of a highly complex underground refuge have been found in the subsoils of the "Château Robin" and "La Motte aux
caves fort".
A particularly interesting feature of Pont-de-Ruan's history is that it was situated on the old Roman road between Tours and Poitiers which crossed the River Indre at this very spot, hence the village's role as a stopping off point for travellers and the reason for the existence of its market.
The church:
It is said to have been founded in 444 by Saint
Brice, a disciple of and successor to Saint Martin. Inscriptions inside the church bear witness to these origins. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the present church dates from the 11th century, apart from the choir which was built in the 13th century and restored in the 19th century. The nave has a timber-clad roof and is illuminated by very narrow windows positioned high up. The 12th century west doorway, notable for its figurines, is a listed Historic Monument.
The bridge spanning the River Indre features an oratory dedicated to Saint Apolline, who is called upon to cure toothache. This belongs to an association of dentists in the Indre et Loire département who come here on pilgrimage…
Private sites situated within the commune:
The Prieuré de Relay (Relay Priory), founded in around 1100, features a doorway from the end of the 16th century. The Manoir de Vonnes
is the former seat of a private stronghold which existed at least as far back as 1108. Balzac described it as the residence of Madame de Meurtsauf, heroine of Le Lys dans la Vallée (The Lily of the Valley).
The Château de Méré is situated close to the village and the old Auberge de la Corne d'Or, a 16th century residence, lies within the village itself. |
